Aim: Sports injuries among athletes with disabilities represent a significant public health concern, directly impacting both individual health outcomes and athletic performance. This study examines the structure and evolution of scientific research on sports injuries in disabled populations through comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Methods: Using the Web of Science database, we identified 274 records from publications indexed in SCI-Expanded, SSCI, AHCI, and ESCI databases through predetermined keyword combinations. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria following PRISMA guidelines, 216 articles underwent bibliometric analysis.Results: The analysis revealed that research in this field emerged in the 1990s and accelerated significantly after 2016. Publication peaks coinciding with Paralympic Games years (2012, 2016, 2020) demonstrate the influence of major sporting events on research priorities. Word cloud analysis identified dominant themes including "prospective cohort studies," "consensus statements," and "Paralympic Games." International collaboration network analysis shows the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia leading in publication output, with South Africa emerging as an unexpected central collaborator. The field demonstrates steady growth and increasingly adopts multidisciplinary approaches. Conclusion: The study provides one of the first comprehensive bibliometric mappings of disability sports injury literature, revealing global research networks and knowledge production centers while establishing a methodological framework for future studies. Strengthening multidisciplinary approaches and expanding international collaborations are critical for improving the health and performance of athletes with disabilities. These results could offer valuable guidance for researchers, clinicians, and sports administrators working in this specialized field.
Erkan Gülgösteren (Sat,) studied this question.
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