Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42566566›Full record

ArticleMedicine2026

Trends, impact, and future directions of ankle injury research in soccer players: A bibliometric analysis.

Hua Zhang, Aihua Li, Zhi Zhang, Shaolan Zhao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Hua ZhangSports Medicine Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Aihua LiAnesthesiology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Zhi ZhangFootball Teaching and Research Office, Football Academy, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0009-0000-7716-5960
Shaolan ZhaoFootball Teaching and Research Office, Football Academy, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study presents a bibliometric analysis of research trends in ankle injuries among soccer players, aiming to inform prevention and treatment strategies.

methodsA comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection database was conducted on July 2, 2024, for English-language original articles on ankle injuries in soccer/football players (published 1983 to July 2, 2024) using a predefined topic query. Publication trends, collaboration networks (countries/institutions/authors), journal analyses, keyword co-occurrence, and citation bursts were evaluated with VOSviewer 1.6.20, CiteSpace 6.3.R1, and R 4.3.3.

resultsPublication output increased substantially over the study period, with the United States leading in research output. The American Journal of Sports Medicine was a key publication venue. Author-level analyses showed contributions from multiple highly cited researchers and collaborative teams, indicating that the field has been shaped by diverse international efforts rather than by any single researcher. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the leading institution. Recent keyword analyses emphasized risk factors, injury management, and balance, reflecting increased research attention to prevention and rehabilitation.

conclusionOverall, the findings demonstrate a clear evolution in the field, highlighting the shift toward proactive strategies for reducing the risk and impact of ankle injuries and improving athlete care.

Indexed as

Ankle InjuriesAthletic InjuriesBibliometricsBiomedical ResearchSoccerHumansankle injurybibliometric analysisinjury preventionrehabilitationsoccer players

Identifiers

PMID42566566
PMCPMC13456861

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.