Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42826255›Full record

ArticleMedicine2026

Artificial intelligence in sports biomechanics: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis and science mapping of global research trends from 2015 to 2024.

Amr Chaabeni, Wissem Dhahbi, Amine Kalai, Ismail Dergaa, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Raul Ioan Muntean, Karim Chamari, Anis Jellad

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

8 authors.

Amr ChaabeniDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Wissem DhahbiResearch Unit "Sport Sciences, Health and Movement", High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia.
Amine KalaiDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Ismail DergaaResearch Department, University of Sousse, Farhat Hached Hospital, Heart Failure (LR12SP09) Research Laboratory, Sousse, Tunisia.
Halil İbrahim CeylanPhysical Education and Sports Teaching Department, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.ORCID 0009-0005-2214-4667
Raul Ioan MunteanDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University "1 Decembrie 1918" of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia, Romania.ORCID 0000-0003-4615-6687
Karim ChamariResearch Department, Naufar, Wellness and Recovery Centre, Doha, Qatar.
Anis JelladDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to systematically map the intellectual structure, evolution, and research landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in sports biomechanics through comprehensive bibliometric analysis.

methodsA mixed-methods bibliometric analysis was conducted using Web of Science Core Collection as the primary data source. A three-component Boolean search query targeting the intersection of AI methods, biomechanical assessments, and sports applications was implemented to identify relevant publications from January 2015 to December 2024. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques were employed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix R-package, including co-occurrence analysis, bibliographic coupling, author collaboration networks, and thematic mapping using Callon's centrality-density model.

resultsThe analysis encompassed 8789 publications demonstrating exceptional growth with an annual growth rate of 12.05%, peaking at 1496 articles in 2024. The research involved 30,012 authors across 1798 journals, with high collaboration patterns (5.46 coauthors per document) and substantial international cooperation (27.57%). China led production with 2382 articles (27.1%), followed by the United States with 1303 articles (14.8%). Sensors emerged as the dominant journal (664 articles), while Chen X was identified as the most impactful author (H-index 22). Science mapping revealed machine learning as the central integrative hub connecting biomechanics, electromyography, and rehabilitation. Five distinct thematic clusters were identified, with electromyography, sensors, and kinematics emerging as motor themes representing well-developed research areas.

conclusionAI applications in sports biomechanics represent a rapidly maturing field characterized by robust international collaboration and clear thematic organization around sensor technologies and movement analysis, indicating successful integration of computational methods with traditional biomechanical approaches for performance enhancement and injury prevention.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceBibliometricsSportsBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansalgorithmsbioengineeringcomputer visiondata miningkineticsneural networkspattern recognitionwearable electronic devices

Identifiers

PMID42826255
PMCPMC13632973

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.