A Descriptive and Quantitative Content Analysis of Researchers in Martial Arts and Combat Sports: Examining the Gender Distribution, Educational Backgrounds, Areas of Expertise, and Citation Metrics

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the demographic and academic profiles of researchers in the fields of martial arts and combat sports. Using a descriptive and quantitative content analysis based on Google Scholar profiles, the study explores the impact of these researchers on the development of sports science. Key variables examined include gender distribution, relevant educational background, areas of expertise, academic qualifications, the distribution and origins of the researchers, and citation metrics. The authors emphasize the significance of sport sciences and the necessity for interdisciplinary cooperation. The findings highlight a predominance of male researchers in the field and a high percentage of researchers with sports-science-related qualifications. Geographically, the United States, Ukraine, England, Brazil, and Australia have the highest number of scholars in these disciplines. The citation analysis provides insight into the range of influence these researchers have in their respective fields, with a notable portion having citation ranges from 101 to 500. The report also provides an analysis of the h-index and i10-index ranges, contributing factors to the increasing acceptance of martial arts and combat sports as influential and critical areas of study within the realm of sports science. In conclusion, the study calls for continued research to further understand, enhance knowledge, and facilitate development in the field of martial arts and combat sports within sports science.