Abstract
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have significantly enhanced sports injury prediction and prevention. However, the rapid growth of this field has led to a fragmented understanding of its intellectual structure, collaboration patterns, and emerging trends. This study addresses this gap through a bibliometric analysis of 3,066 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (1990–2026), using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, leading contributors, collaboration networks, and thematic development. The findings indicate rapid expansion since 2015, increasing global collaboration, and a concentration of research output among leading countries, including the US, China, and the UK. Thematic analysis reveals a shift toward generalisable, data-driven models, with machine learning as the central
methodological driver. This study contributes by providing a structured mapping of the field and informing future research and policy development.