Artificial intelligence in physical education: a bibliometric and systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/PPS.2026.30.69102Keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Physical Education, BibliometricsAbstract
Background. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced various educational domains, including physical education. However, research on AI in physical education remains fragmented, and a comprehensive mapping of research trends, thematic structures, and future directions is still limited.
Aim. This study aims to examine publication trends, intellectual structures, and the theoretical and practical implications of artificial intelligence research in physical education.
Material and methods. A systematic literature review combined with bibliometric analysis was conducted in this study. The article selection process followed the PRISMA framework, and data were retrieved from the Scopus database for the period 2016-2025. A total of 170 articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed using VOSviewer to identify publication trends, leading journal sources, author productivity, and keyword co-occurrence networks.
Results. The results indicate substantial growth in research output in recent years, demonstrating that artificial intelligence in physical education is a rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary research field. Dominant research themes include machine learning, deep learning, big data, virtual reality, and wearable technology, which are closely associated with teaching quality, learner motivation, and performance outcomes.
Conclusions. In conclusion, artificial intelligence represents a significant and sustainable research direction in physical education, offering substantial potential to advance pedagogical innovation and evidence-based practice in future educational settings.
References
Akhiruyanto, A., & Yudhistira, D. (2024). Trends in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Studies in Sports Education: Bibliometric Analysis of the Scopus Database for 2019-2024. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 24(4), 643–650.
AL-Sinani, Y., & Al Taher, M. (2023). Enhancing teaching skills of physical education teachers in the Sultanate of Oman through augmented reality strategies: A comprehensive feedback-based analysis. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2266253
Aluintany, V. G., Wijayati, N., Sumartiningsih, S., & Yuwono, A. (2025). The Role of Mindfulness in Student Emotional Regulation and Academic Achievement: A Review of the Literature. Journal of English Language and Education, 10(4), 511–515.
Becerra-Patiño, B. A., Paucar-Uribe, J. D., Olivares-Arancibia, J., Ojeda-Aravena, A., Yáñez-Sepúlveda, R., Gamonales, J. M., López-Gil, J. F., & Hernández-Beltrán, V. (2025). Mapping the Knowledge of Research Trends in Sports Performance Asymmetries from 2015 to 2024: A Bibliometric Study and Analysis of the Most-Cited Papers. Sports, 13(4), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13040093
Deng, C., Tang, Z., Li, X., & Zhao, Z. (2020). Construction and Application of Web-Based Resource Repository of College Physical Education. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1575(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1575/1/012024
Esmaeili Mahyari, M., Irani, H. R., & Nourmandi Pour, V. (2025). Investigating the Evolution of Sport Tourism: Identifying Future Research Trends. Journal of New Studies in Sport Management, 6(2), 27–43. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22103/jnssm.2024.22737.1253
Ginanjar, A., Mubarok, M. Z., & Mudzakir, D. O. (2021). College students’ motivation after teaching using sport education season. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 9(4), 1–7.
Haddaway, N. R., Page, M. J., Pritchard, C. C., & McGuinness, L. A. (2022). PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230
Hajder, Đ., Bjelica, B., Bubanj, S., Aksović, N., Marković, M., Arsenijević, R., Lupu, G.-S., Gašić, T., Sufaru, C., Toskić, L., Dobreci, D.-L., Dobrescu, T., & Sava, M. A. (2025). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Virtual and Traditional Physical Activity Programs: Effects on Physical, Health, and Cognitive Outcomes. Healthcare, 13(7), 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070711
Hernández-Beltrán, V., Espada, M. C., de Campos, L. F. C. C., Becerra-Patiño, B. A., & Gamonales, J. M. (2024). Analysis of the publications related to sports performance in wheelchair basketball: bibliometric review. Retos, 61, 344–355. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.105959
Hsia, L.-H., Hwang, G.-J., & Hwang, J.-P. (2024). AI-facilitated reflective practice in physical education: an auto-assessment and feedback approach. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(9), 5267–5286. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2212712
Hu, Y. (2020). Realization of intelligent computer aided system in physical education and training. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 18(S2), 80–91. https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2021.S2.80-91
Kara, M. (2025). A Systematic Bibliometric Analysis on the Nature of and Trends in Decision-Making in Sport. The Online Journal of Recreation and Sports, 14(3), 360–374. https://doi.org/10.22282/tojras.1695471
Li, Z., & Wang, H. (2021). The effectiveness of physical education teaching in college based on Artificial intelligence methods. Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 40(2), 3301–3311. https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-189370
Miao, C., Zhang, S., & Liu, K. (2025). Comparing AI-assisted and traditional tactical instruction: A crossover experimental study among male college students. Acta Psychologica, 259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105431
Mokmin, N. A. M. (2020). The effectiveness of a personalized virtual fitness trainer in teaching physical education by applying the artificial intelligent algorithm. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 8(5), 258–264. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2020.080514
Moore, R., Edmondson, L., Gregory, M., Griffiths, K., & Freeman, E. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to physical activity and further digital exercise intervention among inactive British adolescents in secondary schools: a qualitative study with physical education teachers. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1193669
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., & Moher, D. (2021). Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: development of the PRISMA 2020 statement. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 134, 103–112.
Priymak, S., Kolomiiets, N., & Goletc, V. (2020). Forecasting the game role of volleyball players in accordance with the methodology of artificial intelligence. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20(1), 179–185. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2020.01024
Rahman, A., Irawan, R., Dewi, I. S., Islam, S., & Saputri, D. (2024). Implementation Of Sport Education In Physical Education Learning On Social Skills. Proceeding.Unnes.Ac.Id, 4, 157–168.
Saido, B., Lu, G., Qin, Z., Yin, X., Dai, J., & Guo, X. (2024). Research on human movements push up counter based on media-pipe artificial intelligence. 142–147. https://doi.org/10.1109/ASIP63198.2024.00033
Salinas-Ríos, K., & García López, A. J. (2022). Bibliometrics, a useful tool within the field of research. Journal of Basic and Applied Psychology Research, 3(6), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.29057/jbapr.v3i6.6829
Song, X. (2024). Physical education teaching mode assisted by artificial intelligence assistant under the guidance of high-order complex network. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53964-7
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
Wu, Q., Li, S., Xin, S., Hou, Q., & Li, P. (2025). A study on students’ behavioural intention and use behaviour of artificial intelligence-generated content in physical education: Employing an extended the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2025.100547
Xu, M., Liu, D., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Design of Interactive Teaching System of Physical Training Based on Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 21. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219649222400214
Yang, D., Oh, E.-S., & Wang, Y. (2020). Hybrid physical education teaching and curriculum design based on a voice interactive artificial intelligence educational robot. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(19), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198000
Zhang, T., & Fu, C. (2022). Application of Improved VMD-LSTM Model in Sports Artificial Intelligence. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3410153
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Arif Rahman, Syahrizal Islam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 63
Number of citations: 0
