Visualizing college sports management research from year 1993 to 2023: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the growth and evolving focus of college sports management (CSM) research, identifying key contributors and thematic trends within the field.Methods:A bibliometric approach was used, analyzing data from VOSviewer, and the Web of Science (WoS), Scopus and EBSCOhost to assess publication patterns, co-citation networks, and keyword co-occurrence, highlighting influential authors, institutions, and research themes.Results:Our study findings show an increase in CSM publications, with significant contributions from the USA, England, and Australia. Co-citation analysis highlights foundational theories, while keyword analysis identifies thematic clusters in management, sports, exercise, and performance. Emerging research focuses include "impact," "performance," "injuries," "concussions," and "risk."Conclusions:This study suggests a need for localized CSM strategies and integration of technologies like artificial intelligence and Internet of Things to drive advancements. Future studies should incorporate additional databases for a broader view of CSM trends. This study underscores the importance of adaptive strategies to meet the dynamic needs of the CSM field globally.