Background Previous studies have confirmed different localization of injuries in football goalkeepers (FG) compared to outfield players. However, there is a lack of systematic data regarding the injury epidemiology and potential injury prevention programs that might be implemented in this unique group of players.

Objective 1) To analyze the type and localization of injuries among FG and what are the associated risk factors for these injuries 2) To verify whether there is any injury prevention program tailored for FG.

Design Systematic review of MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library electronic databases (search strategy available via the PROSPERO database; 2020 CRD42020183296).

Setting Any football competition level.

Patients (or Participants) The study population consisted of both sexes of amateur or professional FG.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) Any paper addressing the issue of injury incidence and/or prevalence and describing injury prevention program/warm-up tailored for goalkeepers.

Main Outcome Measurements Type of injuries, localization of injuries, types of injury prevention programs, injury incidence (injuries/1000 training or match-play hours), percentage distribution of injury type, percentage distribution of injury localization.

Results Our searches identified 813 potentially relevant articles. By reviewing titles and abstracts, we identified 52 potential articles examining type and localization, and risk factors of injuries amongst FG, and biomechanical effects of applying injury prevention accessories (e.g., shorts, pads, etc.). There were no original scientific papers reporting the effectiveness of any tailored injury prevention programs implemented in a FG population. However, there was one short communication published as an abstract, confirming significant reductions in the total number of the upper extremity injuries following the application of FIFA 11+ program (RR=0.42 [0.31–0.56]; p<0.00001, NNT-5.1].

Conclusions More investigations are needed to develop and evaluate effectiveness of injury prevention strategies tailored for FG.