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Evolution of traditional sports: A bibliometric review on technology, global collaboration, and disruption
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- Published
- 2026-06-30
- Pages
- 79-96
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- Articles
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the publication trends related to traditional sports and folk games from 1971 to 2025, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of research development in this field. The study uses bibliometric analysis, utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection. The data is then analyzed using VOSviewer software to map the relationships between frequently co-occurring keywords in the dataset. The findings show a significant increase in publications from 2018 onwards, with notable peaks in 2022 and 2025. Major contributions come from countries like China and the United States, while other countries like Indonesia show relatively lower contributions. The analysis highlights a growing focus on the intersection of traditional sports with digital technologies, particularly gamification and esports. Additionally, the visualization reveals key connections between concepts such as exercise, youth, and physical activity, alongside increasing attention to the role of social media and technology in promoting traditional sports. In conclusion, this research underscores the growing academic interest in traditional sports, particularly in the context of digitalization and technological innovation. The findings suggest that future research should further explore the integration of technology in the preservation and development of traditional sports. This study contributes to the understanding of global research trends and provides insights into the evolving role of digital tools in enhancing participation in traditional sports.
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How to Cite
Arham Syahban , Rene M Babiera, Ramy Jabbar Kazem Abboud. (2026). Evolution of traditional sports: A bibliometric review on technology, global collaboration, and disruption. Sportify Journal, 6(1), 79-96. https://doi.org/10.36312/sj.v6i1.5589
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