The surge in sport coaching science (SCS) highlights the necessity of regular knowledge synthesis. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the field of SCS from both macro-level and historical perspectives. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 4264 SCS publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) up to 2024, following a standard four-step procedure. The results showed that the development of SCS spans nearly a century, with publications and citations accelerating sharply over the past 15 years. Journals specialised in coaching and sport psychology served as the primary publication outlets. Western countries, institutions, and authors dominated the research community. Seven research themes (co-word) and their evolutionary trajectories were revealed. Moreover, 18 research specialties (co-citation) were identified, along with their knowledge bases and temporal trends. Based on these results, we highlighted some key gaps and trends in SCS and proposed future research directions. This study helps SCS researchers set research agendas and reflect on academic achievements, while offering insights for journal editors, funders, policymakers, practitioners, and coach developers/educators, thereby contributing to the advancement of SCS and the coaching profession.
DayDLoudcherJFVaucelleS. Sports coaching histories and biographies: a raison d’être. Sports Coach Rev2025; 14: 1–22.
2.
Lara-BercialSBalesJNorthJ, et al.International Council for Coaching Excellence position statement “professionalisation of sport coaching as a global process of continuous improvement”. Int Sport Coach J2022; 9: 157–160.
3.
PapichMCBloomGADohmeLC. Developing close, trusting coach–athlete relationships with high-performance adolescent tennis players. Int Sport Coach J2025; 12: 446–457.
4.
EimeRCharityMOwenK. The changing nature of how and where Australians play sport. BMC Public Health2024; 24: 3165.
5.
International Council for Coaching Excellence. International Sport Coaching Framework. Version 1.2. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2013.
6.
DuffyPHartleyHBalesJ, et al.Sport coaching as a ‘profession’: challenges and future directions. Int J Coach Sci2011; 5: 93–123.
7.
McCullickBSchemppPMasonI, et al.A scrutiny of the coaching education program scholarship since 1995. Quest2009; 61: 322–335.
8.
MoustakasLLara-BercialSNorthJ, et al.Sport coaching systems in the European Union: state of the nations. Int J Sport Policy Politics2022; 14: 93–110.
9.
CopeEAlsowayenMHosawiS, et al.Exploring the impact of a coach development programme through the perspectives of Saudi Arabian sport coaches. Phys Educ Sport Pedagog2026; 31: 241–255.
10.
GilbertWDTrudelP. Analysis of coaching science research published from 1970–2001. Res Q Exerc Sport2004; 75: 388–399.
11.
GouldD. Conducting impactful coaching science research: the forgotten role of knowledge integration and dissemination. Int Sport Coach J2016; 3: 197–203.
12.
BentzenMAlexanderDBloomGA, et al.What do we know about research on parasport coaches? A scoping review. Adapt Phys Activ Q2020; 38: 109–137.
13.
CampbellSMillsJAtkinsonO, et al.Engaging in paradigmatic dialogue: a bibliometric analysis of coaching scholarship from 1970 to 2020. Int Sport Coach J2023; 10: 16–28.
14.
GriffoJMJensenMAnthonyCC, et al.A decade of research literature in sport coaching (2005–2015). Int J Sports Sci Coach2019; 14: 205–215.
15.
HirschKELougheadTMBloomGA, et al.Reviewing original research articles published in the International Sport Coaching Journal. Int Sport Coach J2023; 10: 3–15.
16.
CushionCLyleJ. Conceptual development in sports coaching. In: CushionCLyleJ (eds) Sports coaching: professionalisation and practice. Oxford: Elsevier, 2010, pp.1–13.
17.
NorthJCallaryBDieffenbachK, et al.A reflection on the state of sport coaching research, its community, and representation: the 2020 International Council for Coaching Excellence research committee consultation. Int Sport Coach J2021; 8: 405–413.
18.
AbrahamACollinsD. Taking the next step: ways forward for coaching science. Quest2011; 63: 366–384.
19.
CallaryB. Practical advances in sport coaching research in International Sport Coaching Journal. Int Sport Coach J2021; 8: 281–282.
20.
LyleJCushionC. Sports coaching: Professionalisation and practice. Oxford: Elsevier, 2010.
21.
PotracPGilbertWDenisonJ. Routledge handbook of sports coaching. London: Routledge, 2013.
22.
LyleJ. The transferability of sport coaching research: a critical commentary. Quest2018; 70: 419–437.
23.
FroudeAMHancockDJMcLarenCD, et al.Exploring the structure of relative age effects research using citation network analysis. J Sports Sci2024; 42: 893–902.
24.
ZwackCCHaghaniMBensonAC. Evolution of research published in sports and exercise medicine journals: a quantitative analysis of global trends. Sports Med Open2025; 11: 118.
25.
NelsonLGroomRPotracP. Research methods in sports coaching. London: Routledge, 2014.
26.
HaghaniM. What makes an informative and publication-worthy scientometric analysis of literature: a guide for authors, reviewers and editors. Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect2023; 22: 100956.
27.
DonthuNKumarSMukherjeeD, et al.How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: an overview and guidelines. J Bus Res2021; 133: 285–296.
28.
AriaMCuccurulloCD’AnielloL, et al.Comparative science mapping: a novel conceptual structure analysis with metadata. Scientometrics2024; 129: 7055–7081.
29.
LiJGoerlandtFReniersG. An overview of scientometric mapping for the safety science community: methods, tools, and framework. Saf Sci2021; 134: 105093.
30.
McLarenCDBrunerMW. Citation network analysis. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2022; 15: 179–198.
31.
MukherjeeDLimWMKumarS, et al.Guidelines for advancing theory and practice through bibliometric research. J Bus Res2022; 148: 101–115.
32.
RangeonSGilbertWBrunerM. Mapping the world of coaching science: a citation network analysis. J Coach Educ2012; 5: 83–108.
33.
MongeonPPaul-HusA. The journal coverage of Web of Science and Scopus: a comparative analysis. Scientometrics2016; 106: 213–228.
34.
BirkleCPendleburyDASchnellJ, et al.Web of Science as a data source for research on scientific and scholarly activity. Quant Sci Stud2020; 1: 363–376.
35.
SabéMChenCPerezN, et al.Thirty years of research on negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a scientometric analysis of hotspots, bursts, and research trends. Neurosci Biobehav Rev2023; 144: 104979.
36.
HaghaniMBliemerMC. Emerging trends and influential outsiders of transportation science. Transport Lett2023; 15: 386–422.
37.
ÖztürkOKocamanRKanbachDK. How to design bibliometric research: an overview and a framework proposal. Rev Manag Sci2024; 18: 3333–3361.
38.
ChenCMasonDS. A postcolonial reading of representations of non-Western leadership in sport management studies. J Sport Manag2018; 32: 150–169.
HaghaniMHensherDAGreeneW. Slow recognition of seminal papers and fast growth of author connectivity in economics. J Informetr2023; 17: 101375.
41.
Van EckNJWaltmanL. VOSviewer manual. Leidon: Universiteit Leiden, 2023.
42.
DagdelenJDunnALeeS, et al.Structured information extraction from scientific text with large language models. Nat Commun2024; 15: 1418.
43.
NaeemMSmithTThomasL. Thematic analysis and artificial intelligence: a step-by-step process for using ChatGPT in thematic analysis. Int J Qual Methods2025; 24: 1–18.
44.
ZhouYYuanYHuangK, et al.Can ChatGPT perform a grounded theory approach to do risk analysis? An empirical study. J Manag Inf Syst2024; 41: 982–1015.
45.
KaczmarczykRWilhelmTIRoosJ, et al.Decoding the digital pulse: bibliometric analysis of 25 years in digital health research through the Journal of Medical Internet Research. J Med Internet Res2024; 26: e60057.
46.
CoboMJLópez-HerreraAGHerrera-ViedmaE, et al.An approach for detecting, quantifying, and visualizing the evolution of a research field: a practical application to the Fuzzy Sets Theory field. J Informetr2011; 5: 146–166.
47.
ChenC. CiteSpace: A practical guide for mapping scientific literature. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2016.
48.
BezdekH. The function of the football coach in a program of physical education. Res Q Am Phys Educ Assoc1932; 3: 33–41.
49.
FauverE. The worth of varsity athletic coaches as instructors in physical education. Res Q Am Phys Educ Assoc1933; 4: 44–50.
50.
HavelRC. The professional status of head coaches of athletics in colleges and universities. Res Q Am Assoc Health Phys Educ Rec1953; 24: 8–17.
51.
RussellRDWaldrumRD. Education about alcohol by high school athletic coaches. Res Q Am Assoc Health Phys Educ Rec1962; 33: 451–460.
52.
ShaughnessyC. The football coach and the team physician. J Am Coll Health Assoc1966; 15: 113–120.
53.
GazesPCSovellBFDellastatiousJW. Continuous radioelectrocardiographic monitoring of football and basketball coaches during games. Am Heart J1969; 78: 509–512.
54.
HendryLB. A personality study of highly successful and “ideal” swimming coaches. Res Q Am Assoc Health Phys Educ Rec1969; 40: 299–304.
55.
GeisertP. A systems approach to coaching football. Educ Technol1972; 12: 63–64.
56.
HendryLB. Human factors in sports systems: suggested models for analyzing athlete-coach interaction. Hum Factors1974; 16: 528–544.
57.
DanielsonRRZelhartPFJrDrakeCJ. Multidimensional scaling and factor analysis of coaching behavior as perceived by high school hockey players. Res Q Am Alliance Health Phys Educ Rec1975; 46: 323–334.
58.
SnyderEE. Athletic team involvement, educational plans, and the coach-player relationship. Adolescence1975; 10: 191–200.
59.
CôtéJGilbertW. An integrative definition of coaching effectiveness and expertise. Int J Sports Sci Coach2009; 4: 307–323.
60.
SheehyTLDieffenbachKReedP. An exploration of coaching research in Journal of Applied Sport Psychology from 1989 to 2017. J Appl Sport Psychol2019; 31: 352–365.
61.
HarveySGano-OverwayLBaghurstT, et al.50 Million strong™: the contribution of sports coaching. Res Q Exerc Sport2023; 94: 310–321.
62.
RoetertEPBalesJ. Invited welcome: a global approach to advancing the profession of coaching. Int Sport Coach J2014; 1: 2–4.
63.
Lara-BercialSAbrahamAColmaireP, et al.The international sport coaching bachelor degree standards of the international council for coaching excellence. Int Sport Coach J2016; 3: 344–348.
64.
BargerRP. Democratization of education through Massive Open Online Courses in Asia. IAFOR J Educ2020; 8: 29–46.
65.
HanERYeoSKimMJ, et al.Medical education trends for future physicians in the era of advanced technology and artificial intelligence: an integrative review. BMC Med Educ2019; 19: 460.
66.
PeiLWuH. Does online learning work better than offline learning in undergraduate medical education? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Educ Online2019; 24: 1666538.
67.
TangBCoretAQureshiA, et al.Online lectures in undergraduate medical education: scoping review. JMIR Med Educ2018; 4: e9091.
68.
StoszkowskiJCollinsD. A realist evaluation of the use of Flipgrid to facilitate collaborative online learning and reflection in sport coaching. Sport Educ Soc2022; 27: 906–921.
69.
StoszkowskiJHodgkinsonACollinsD. Using Flipgrid to improve reflection: a collaborative online approach to coach development. Phys Educ Sport Pedagog2021; 26: 167–178.
70.
SabéMSulstarovaAChenC, et al.A century of research on neuromodulation interventions: a scientometric analysis of trends and knowledge maps. Neurosci Biobehav Rev2023; 152: 105300.
71.
GriffithC. Psychology of coaching. New York: Scribners, 1926.
72.
BennieAApoifisNCaronJ, et al.A guide to conducting systematic reviews of coaching science research. Int Sport Coach J2017; 4: 191–205.
73.
StewartID. Why should urban heat island researchers study history?Urban Clim2019; 30: 100484.
74.
GulluSKeskinBAtesO, et al.Coach-athlete relationship and sport passion in individual sports. Acta Kinesiol2020; 14: 9–15.
75.
JinHKimSLoveA, et al.Effects of leadership style on coach-athlete relationship, athletes’ motivations, and athlete satisfaction. Front Psychol2022; 13: 1012953.
76.
KaoSFTsaiCYSchinkeR, et al.Effects of coach extraversion and educational environment on transformational leadership and athlete outcomes: a moderated mediation model. J Sports Sci2023; 41: 1383–1392.
77.
CassidyTPotracPRynneS. Understanding sports coaching: The pedagogical, social and cultural foundations of coaching practice. London: Routledge, 2023.
78.
JonesRL. Studies in sports coaching. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019.
79.
ShearerKChanLKuchmaI, et al.Fostering bibliodiversity in scholarly communications: a call for action. Zenodo. 2020. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3752923
80.
Arenas-CastroHBerdejo-EspinolaVChowdhuryS, et al.Academic publishing requires linguistically inclusive policies. Proc R Soc B2024; 291: 20232840.
81.
KulczyckiEGunsRPölönenJ, et al.Multilingual publishing in the social sciences and humanities: a seven-country European study. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol2020; 71: 1371–1385.
82.
NashCMoșoiAA. This ship is going to be wicked hard to steer: coach development in Europe. In: RynneSBMallettCJ (eds) The Routledge handbook of coach development in sport. London: Routledge, 2024, pp.93–111.
83.
McCarthyLAllansonAStoszkowskiJ. Moving toward authentic, learning-oriented assessment in coach education. Int Sport Coach J2021; 8: 400–404.
84.
GriffithsMArmourKCushionC. ‘Trying to get our message across’: successes and challenges in an evidence-based professional development programme for sport coaches. Sport Educ Soc2018; 23: 283–295.
85.
BushASilkMAndrewsD, et al.Sports coaching research: Context, consequences, and consciousness. London: Routledge, 2013.
86.
NorthJ. Sport coaching research and practice: Ontology, interdisciplinarity and critical realism. London: Routledge, 2017.
87.
McLarenCDSutcliffeJTGardnerLA, et al.Mapping the scientific structure of positive youth development research in sport. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2024; 17: 94–115.
88.
JonesRL. The sports coach as educator. London: Routledge, 2006.
89.
HornTS. Coaching effectiveness in the sport domain. In: HornTS (ed.) Advances in sport psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2008, pp.239–267.
90.
GosaiJJowettSNascimento-JúniorJRAD. When leadership, relationships and psychological safety promote flourishing in sport and life. Sports Coach Rev2023; 12: 145–165.
91.
JowettSNicolasMYangS. Unravelling the links between coach behaviours and coach-athlete relationships. Eur J Sports Exerc Sci2017; 5: 10–19.
92.
RottensteinerCKonttinenNLaaksoL. Sustained participation in youth sports related to coach-athlete relationship and coach-created motivational climate. Int Sport Coach J2015; 2: 29–38.
93.
BushASilkM. Towards an evolving critical consciousness in coaching research: the physical pedagogic bricolage. Int J Sports Sci Coach2010; 5: 551–565.
94.
Barker-RuchtiNPurdyL. New possibilities: extending research and practice in sports coaching. Sports Coach Rev2022; 11: 1–4.
95.
BraunVClarkeV. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol2006; 3: 77–101.
96.
BraunVClarkeVWeateP. Using thematic analysis in sport and exercise research. In: SmithBSparkesAC (eds) Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise. London: Routledge, 2016, pp.213–227.
97.
PattonMQ. Qualitative research and evaluation methods. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2002.
98.
SparkesACSmithB. Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: From process to product. London: Routledge, 2014.
99.
SmithBMcGannonKR. Developing rigor in qualitative research: problems and opportunities within sport and exercise psychology. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2018; 11: 101–121.
100.
PoucherZATamminenKACaronJG, et al.Thinking through and designing qualitative research studies: a focused mapping review of 30 years of qualitative research in sport psychology. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2020; 13: 163–186.
101.
GivenLM. It’s a new year… so let’s stop the paradigm wars. Int J Qual Methods2017; 16: 1609406917692647.
102.
FredrikssonRBarner-RasmussenWPiekkariR. The multinational corporation as a multilingual organization: the notion of a common corporate language. Corp Commun2006; 11: 406–423.
103.
GordinMD. Scientific babel: How science was done before and after global English. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2024.
104.
HylandK. Academic discourse. In: HylandKWongLPaltridgeB (eds) The Bloomsbury handbook of discourse analysis. London: Bloomsbury, 2011, pp.125.
105.
CurryMJLillisTM. Academic research networks: accessing resources for English-medium publishing. Engl Specif Purp2010; 29: 281–295.
106.
Di BitettiMSFerrerasJA. Publish (in English) or perish: the effect on citation rate of using languages other than English in scientific publications. Ambio2017; 46: 121–127.
107.
StockemerDWiggintonMJ. Publishing in English or another language: an inclusive study of scholar’s language publication preferences in the natural, social and interdisciplinary sciences. Scientometrics2019; 118: 645–652.
108.
BloomGADurand-BushNSchinkeRJ, et al.The importance of mentoring in the development of coaches and athletes. Int J Sport Psychol1998; 29: 267–281.
109.
WangZCaseyACopeE. Coach experiences of formal coach education developed by national governing bodies: a systematic review. Phys Educ Sport Pedagog2025; 30: 351–363.
110.
GrahamIDLoganJHarrisonMB, et al.Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map?J Contin Educ Health Prof2006; 26: 13–24.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
