Global Inequalities and Conceptual Evolution in Biological Maturation Research in Youth Sport: A 40-Year Bibliometric and Science Mapping Analysis

This study examines the scientific landscape of research on biological maturation in youth sport through a comprehensive bibliometric and network analysis. A total of 457 publications indexed in Web of Science were analyzed to identify production trends, thematic evolution, authorship structures, institutional collaboration patterns, and citation dynamics. Network structure was assessed using Total Link Strength (TLS). Results reveal sustained growth in publications since 2012, with maturation emerging as a central thematic axis linked to talent identification and performance research. The field exhibits moderate collaborative density, characterized by hub-oriented structures in which a limited number of authors and institutions concentrate structural influence. Institutional analysis indicates productivity concentration consistent with cumulative advantage dynamics, alongside asymmetrical participation across regions. These findings suggest that research on biological maturation in youth sport is undergoing conceptual consolidation while remaining structurally centralized. Greater cross-regional and interdisciplinary integration may enhance scientific equity and knowledge diversification within the field.