UNVEILING THE RESEARCH LANDSCAPE: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SPORT AND DISABILITY RESEARCH

Disabled adults confront multifaceted challenges spanning ambulation, cognition, sensory perception, and disease vulnerability. Their susceptibility to cardiovascular conditions, strokes, diabetes, and cancer is tripled compared to non-disabled peers. This study utilized bibliometric analysis to track the evolution of physical activity research in disabilities. This study leveraged the ProQuest database and was aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The analysis encompassed publications from 2008 to 2023. Co-occurrence keyword analysis clustered 492 keywords, linked by 31,005 connections, with a cumulative link strength of 70,025. This study revealed research gaps, notably in exploring the interplay between physical activity and metrics like body mass index (BMI) or velocity in disabled individuals. Moreover, accessibility to activity facilities and injury management for this demographic remain under -addressed. In summary, this bibliometric study offers comprehensive insights into sports and disability studies, urging diversified research, global collaboration, and policy integration to advance inclusivity in sports for people with disabilities.