Artificial Intelligence in Sports Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Intellectual Structure, Evolving Trends, and Future Directions

Abstract

This study presents a bibliometric mapping of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in sports, analyzing 298 core journal articles from the CNKI database over the past three decades using CiteSpace. The analysis reveals a steady growth in publications, a strong disciplinary integration of sports science with automation and computer technologies, and a well‑established collaborative network among researchers. Over time, research has shifted from macro‑ to micro‑level inquiries, from theoretical principles to empirical evidence, and from quantitative to mixed‑method approaches. Future trajectories point toward AI as a digital driver of new productive forces, facilitating digital transformation and sustainable development within the sports industry. These findings offer a systemic overview of the field’s intellectual structure and provide actionable guidance for scholars and practitioners.