Bibliometric analysis of the problem of scientific support of kickboxing (analysis of Scopus database resources)

Purpose: to conduct a bibliometric analysis of publications on the scientific support of kickboxing in the Scopus web database. The aim was to identify and analyze key approaches and trends in kickboxing research by creating bibliometric maps using the VOSviewer software. Material and Methods. The study sample was formed using the Scopus database as of August 19, 2024. A search query «kickbox*» was used to combine publications based on the criteria of «kickboxing»,«kickboxer» and «kickboxers». This resulted in a dataset of 327 publications spanning the period from 1986 to 2024. The VOSviewer software served as the tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric maps. Results: the analysis revealed and illustrated the following: growing scientific interest in kickboxing among academic communities, the geographic distribution of leading studies, significant authors, and current trends in scientific inquiry. Four clusters were identified and described using keywords, grouping research areas as follows: The first largest cluster reflects an interdisciplinary approach to studying the sport, covering physiology, biomechanics, training, and sports medicine in the context of athletes' performance. The second cluster focuses on issues related to the risks and consequences of traumatic brain injuries associated with contact striking martial arts. The third cluster centers on sports injuries among children and adolescents practicing martial arts. The fourth cluster emphasizes improving physical and mental health through kickboxing and other martial arts. Conclusions. the increasing number of publications confirms the trend of growing global popularity of kickboxing within the scientific community. Leading authors and geographic data of advanced studies highlight the connection between scientific research and practical achievements in the sports arena. The study demonstrates current scientific directions in kickboxing research and underscores the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to address a wide range of issues.