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Abstract

Background: Soccer goalkeepers have distinct physical, physiological, and technical demands that are not adequately represented by conventional outfield-player monitoring metrics. Evidence on goalkeeper training and match load is dispersed across studies using internal-load measures, generic external-load indicators, and increasingly goalkeeper-specific mechanical and task-based metrics. Objective: This scoping review aims to systematically map the methods, technologies, operational definitions, and metrics used to quantify training and match demands in soccer goalkeepers, with particular emphasis on internal load, generic external load, goalkeeper-specific mechanical exposure, and task-related metrics. Methods: The review will follow established scoping review methodology and will be reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR. Searches were conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science using complementary general load-monitoring and goalkeeper-specific search strategies. Studies involving association-football goalkeepers of any age, sex, or competitive level are eligible when goalkeeper data are separately extractable. Applied monitoring studies and relevant measurement/validation studies are considered. Data will be charted according to population, context, monitoring technology, metric definitions, and load domain, and synthesized descriptively through evidence mapping rather than meta-analysis. Dissemination and transparency: The review is intended to identify methodological trends, areas of inconsistency, and priorities for future goalkeeper-specific monitoring research. The protocol is being published after completion of the database searches and screening stages; methodological amendments and deviations from the initial review plan are documented transparently.