Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Microtechnology Sensors in Team Sports: A Systematic Review

  • Systematic Review
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Use of Global positioning system (GPS) technology in team sport permits measurement of player position, velocity, and movement patterns. GPS provides scope for better understanding of the specific and positional physiological demands of team sport and can be used to design training programs that adequately prepare athletes for competition with the aim of optimizing on-field performance.

Objective

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the depth and scope of reported GPS and microtechnology measures used within individual sports in order to present the contemporary and emerging themes of GPS application within team sports.

Methods

A systematic review of the application of GPS technology in team sports was conducted. We systematically searched electronic databases from earliest record to June 2012. Permutations of key words included GPS; male and female; age 12–50 years; able-bodied; and recreational to elite competitive team sports.

Results

The 35 manuscripts meeting the eligibility criteria included 1,276 participants (age 11.2–31.5 years; 95 % males; 53.8 % elite adult athletes). The majority of manuscripts reported on GPS use in various football codes: Australian football league (AFL; n = 8), soccer (n = 7), rugby union (n = 6), and rugby league (n = 6), with limited representation in other team sports: cricket (n = 3), hockey (n = 3), lacrosse (n = 1), and netball (n = 1). Of the included manuscripts, 34 (97 %) detailed work rate patterns such as distance, relative distance, speed, and accelerations, with only five (14.3 %) reporting on impact variables. Activity profiles characterizing positional play and competitive levels were also described. Work rate patterns were typically categoriszed into six speed zones, ranging from 0 to 36.0 km·h−1, with descriptors ranging from walking to sprinting used to identify the type of activity mainly performed in each zone. With the exception of cricket, no standardized speed zones or definitions were observed within or between sports. Furthermore, speed zone criteria often varied widely within (e.g. zone 3 of AFL ranged from 7 to 16 km·h−1) and between sports (e.g. zone 3 of soccer ranged from 3.0 to <13 km·h−1 code). Activity descriptors for a zone also varied widely between sports (e.g. zone 4 definitions ranged from jog, run, high velocity, to high-intensity run). Most manuscripts focused on the demands of higher intensity efforts (running and sprint) required by players. Body loads and impacts, also summarized into six zones, showed small variations in descriptions, with zone criteria based upon grading systems provided by GPS manufacturers.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights that GPS technology has been used more often across a range of football codes than across other team sports. Work rate pattern activities are most often reported, whilst impact data, which require the use of microtechnology sensors such as accelerometers, are least reported. There is a lack of consistency in the definition of speed zones and activity descriptors, both within and across team sports, thus underscoring the difficulties encountered in meaningful comparisons of the physiological demands both within and between team sports. A consensus on definitions of speed zones and activity descriptors within sports would facilitate direct comparison of the demands within the same sport. Meta-analysis from systematic review would also be supported. Standardization of speed zones between sports may not be feasible due to disparities in work rate pattern activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Larsson P. Global positioning system and sport-specific testing. Sports Med. 2003;33(15):1093–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Schutz Y, Herre R. Assessment of speed of human locomotion using a differential satellite global positioning system. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32:642–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gray AJ, Jenkins D, Andrews MH, et al. Validity and reliability of GPS for measuring distance travelled in field-based team sports. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(12):1319–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Schutz Y, Chambaz A. Could a satellite-based navigation system (GPS) be used to assess the physical activity of individuals on earth? Eur J Clin Nutr. 1997;51(5):338–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. McLellan CP, Lovell DI, Cass GC. Performance analysis of elite Rugby League match play using global positioning systems. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(6):1703–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Waldron MT, Highton C, Worsolf J, et al. Movement and physiological match demands of elite Rugby League using portable global positioning systems. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(11):1223–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. GPSports Systems. GPSports team analysis user manual. Version 1.5;2006.

  8. McLellan CP, Lovell DI, Gass GC. Biochemical and endocrine responses to impact and collision during elite Rugby League match play. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(6):1553–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Aughey RJ. Applications of GPS technologies to field sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2011;6(3):295–310.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Varley M, Aughey R. Validity and reliability of GPS for measuring instantaneous velocity during acceleration, deceleration, and constant motion. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(2):121–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Jennings D, Cormack S, Coutts AJ, et al. The validity and reliability of GPS units for measuring distance in team sport specific running patterns. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2010;5(3):328–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Johnston R, Watsford M, Pine M, et al. The validity and reliability of 5-Hz global positioning system units to measure team sport movement demands. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(3):758–65.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Portas M, Rush C, Barnes C, et al. Method comparison of linear distance and velocity measurements with global positioning satellite (GPS) and the timing gates techniques. J Sci Med Sport. 2009;4:381–93.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Portas M, Rush C, Barnes C, et al. The validity and reliability of 1-Hz and 5-Hz global positioning systems for linear, multidirectional, and soccer-specific activities. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2010;5:448–58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Downs SH, Black N. The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1998;52(6):377–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Harley JA, Barnes CA, Portas M, et al. Motion analysis of match-play in eltie U12 to U16 age-group soccer players. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(13):1391–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Aughey RJ. Increased high-intensity activity in elite Australian Football finals matches. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2011;6(3):367–79.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Aughey RJ, Falloon C. Real-time versus post game GPS data in team sports. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13(3):348–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Brewer C, Dawson B, Haesman J, et al. Movement pattern comparisons in elite (AFL) and sub-elite (WAFL) Australian Football games using GPS. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13(6):618–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Coutts AJ, Quinn J, Hocking J, et al. Match running performance in elite Australian Rules football. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13(5):543–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Farrow D, Pyne D, Gabbett T. Skill and physiological demands of open and closed training drills in Australian Football. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 2008;3(4):489–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mooney M, O’Brien B, Cormack S, et al. The relationship between physical capacity and match performance in elite Australian Football: a mediation approach. J Sci Med Sport. 2011;14(5):447–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Piggot B, Newton M, McGuian M. The relationship between training load and incidence of injury and illness over a pre season at an Australian Football League club. J Aus Strength Cond. 2009;17(3):4–17.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wisbey B, Montgomery PG, Pyne DB, et al. Quantifying demands of AFL football using GPS tracking. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13(5):531–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Castagna C, Impellizzeri F, Cecchini E, et al. Effects of intermittent-endurance fitness on match performance in young male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(7):1954–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Barbero Alvarez J, Lopez M, Barbero Alvarez V, et al. Heart rate and activity profile for young female soccer players. J Hum Sport Exerc. 2008;3(2):1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Bucheit M, Mendez-Villanueva A, Simpson BM, et al. Match running performance and fitness in youth soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(11):818–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Casamichana D, Castellano J. Heart rate and motion analysis by GPS in beach soccer. J Sports Sci Med. 2010;9:98–103.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hill-Haas SV, Coutts AJ, Rowsell GJ, et al. Variability of acute physiological responses and performance profiles of youth soccer players in small-sided games. J Sci Med Sport. 2008;11(5):487–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Hill-Haas SV, Dawson BT, Coutts AJ, et al. Physiological responses and time-motion characteristics of various small-sided soccer games in youth players. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(1):1–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Hartwig T, Naughton G, Searl J. Defining the volume and intensity of sport participation in adolescent Rugby Union players. Inter J Sports Physiol Perform. 2008;3:94–106.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Hartwig T, Naughton G, Searl J. Motion analyses of adolescent Rugby Union players: a comparison of training and game demands. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(4):966–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Suárez-Arrones JL, Portillo LJ, Gonzalez-Rave MJ, et al. Match running performance in Spanish elite male Rugby Union using global positioning system. Isokinetic Exer Sci. 2012;20:77–83.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Venter R, Opperman E, Opperman S. The use of global positioning system (GPS) tracking devices to access movement demands and impacts in under-19 Rugby Union match play. Afr J Phys Health Ed Rec Dance. 2011;17(1):1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Higham DG, Pyne DB, Anson JM, et al. Movement patterns in Rugby sevens: effects of tournament level, fatigue and substitute players. J Sci Med Sport. 2012;15(3):277–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Cunniffe B, Proctor W, Barker JS, et al. An evaluation of the physiological demands of elite Rugby Union using global positioning system tracking system. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(4):1195–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Austin DJ, Kelly SJ. Positional differences in professional rugby league match play through the use of global positioning systems. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(1):14-9.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Duffield R, Murphy A, Snape A, et al. Post match changes in neuromuscular function and the relationship to match demands in amateur Rugby League matches. J Sci Med Sport. 2012;15(3):238–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Gabbett TJ, Jenkins DG, Abernethy B. Physical demands of professional rugby league training and competition using microtechnology. J Sci Med Sport. 2012;15(1):80–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. McLellan CP, Lovell DI, Cass GC. Creatine kinase and endocrine responses of elite players pre, during and post rugby league match play. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(11):2908–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Petersen CJ, Pyne DB, Dawson B, et al. Movement patterns in cricket vary by both position and game format. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(1):45–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Petersen CJ, Pyne DB, Portus MR, et al. Comparison of player movement patterns between 1-day and test cricket. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(5):1368–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Petersen CJ, Pyne DB, Portus MR, et al. Variability in movement pattern during one day internationals by a cricket fast bowler. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2009;4(2):278–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Gabbett TJ. GPS analysis of elite women’s field hockey training and competition. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(5):1321–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Jennings DH, Cormack SJ, Coutts AJ, et al. International field hockey players perform more high speed running than national level counterparts. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(4):947–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Macutkiewicz D, Sunderland C. The use of GPS to evaluate activity profiles of elite women hockey players during match-play. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(9):967–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Higgins T, Naughton GA, Burgess D. Effects of wearing compression garments on physiological and performance measures in a simulated game-specific circuit for netball. J Sci Med Sport. 2009;12(1):223–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Duffield R, Steinbacher G, Fairchild TJ. The use of mixed-method, part body pre-cooling procedures for team-sport athletes in the heat. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(9):2524–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Docherty D, Wegner HA, Neary P. Time-motion analysis related to the physiological demands of rugby. J Hum Mov Stud. 1988;14:269–77.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Abt G, Lovell R. The use of individualized speed and intensity thresholds for determining the distance run at high-intensity in professional soccer. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(9):893–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Sykes D, Ceri N, Lamb K, et al. An evaluation of the external validity and reliability of a rugby league match simulation protocol. J Sports Sci. 2012;31(1):48–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. King D, Hume P, Milburn P, et al. Match and training injuries in Rugby League: a review of published studies. Sports Med. 2010;40(2):163–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Kelly D, Coughlan FG, Green SB, et al. Automatic detection of collisions in elite level Rugby Union using a wearable sensing device. Sports Eng. 2012;15:81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Dogramaci SN, Watsford ML, Murphy AJ. The reliability and validity of subjective notational analysis in comparison to global positioning system tracking to assess athlete movement patterns. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(3):852–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Ebbeling C, Hamill J, Freedson P, et al. An examination of efficiency during walking in children and adults. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 1992;4(1):36–49.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Rowland TW, Auchinachie JA, Keenan TJ, et al. Physiologic responses to treadmill running in adult and prepubertal males. Int J Sports Med. 1987;8(4):292–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Grieve DW, Ruth GJ. The relationships between length of stride, step frequency, time of swing and speed of walking for children and adults. Ergonomics. 1966;9(5):379–99.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Frost G, Dowling J, Dyson K, et al. Cocontraction in three age groups of children during treadmill locomotion. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 1997;7(3):179–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Davies CT. Metabolic cost of exercise and physical performance in children with some observations on external loading. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1980;45(2–3):95–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Thorstensson A. Effects of moderate external loading on the aerobic demand of submaximal running in men and 10 year-old boys. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1986;55(6):569–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Ariens GA, Mechelen W, Kemper HC, et al. The longitudinal development of running economy in males and females aged between 13 and 27 years: the Amsterdam Growth and Health Study. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;76(3):214–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Gabbett TJ, Domrow N. Relationships between training load, injury, and fitness in sub-elite collision sport athletes. J Sports Sci. 2007;25(13):1507–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Gabbett TJ. The development and application of an injury prediction model for noncontact, soft-tissue injuries in elite collision sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(10):2593–603.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Randers M, Mujikab I, Hewitt A, et al. Application of four different football match analysis systems: a comparative study. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(2):171–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Lovell R, Barrett S, Portas M, et al. Re-examination of the post half-time reduction in soccer work-rate. J Sci Med Sport. 2013;16:250–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Waldron M, Worsfold P, Twist C, et al. Concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of a global positioning system (GPS) and timing gates to assess sprint performance variables. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(15):1613–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This manuscript contributes to CC’s PhD qualification. No funding has been received for the preparation of this manuscript. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the context of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, 75 East St, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW, 2141, Australia

    Cloe Cummins, Rhonda Orr, Helen O’Connor & Cameron West

Authors
  1. Cloe Cummins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rhonda Orr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Helen O’Connor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cameron West
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cloe Cummins.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 219 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cummins, C., Orr, R., O’Connor, H. et al. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Microtechnology Sensors in Team Sports: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 43, 1025–1042 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0069-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0069-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation