Visual analysis of sports performance research trends from 2020 to 2024

The development of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) has brought a sea change to the research methodology of sports science. Short-term bibliometric analysis can clearly show the current state of research in sports performance. We analyzed 20,281 publications from 2020 to 2024 and found a significant increase in research on physical performance. The United States and China are the main contributors. They follow different patterns of international collaboration. Our analysis of co-citations and keyword trends shows the important topics include basic statistics and sports psychology, have shifted from broad to more specific studies. These topic studies focusing on such issues as injuries, genetics, personality, and caffeine. Although there is more literature in sports science than in public health, the influence of public health research is still stronger. The above findings show the value of bibliometric analysis in the tracking of research progress and identification of new areas of focus. We suggest periodic updating of the bibliometric database to keep it abreast with contemporary trends and development regarding research on physical performance.