Global research trends on physical education practices: a bibliometric analysis and science-mapping study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Education

Background:

• Physical Education teacher training internships are crucial for applying theory to practice.
• These mandatory practical components are often undervalued in teacher education programs.
• Understanding research trends is vital for enhancing Physical Education teacher preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of research trends in Physical Education teacher training internships.
• To identify key thematic areas and future directions in the field.
• To inform strategies for improving the quality of teacher training programs.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis was performed on 83 publications.
• Data was sourced from the Social Sciences Citation Index and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science).
• Publication trends, authorship, collaboration, and thematic clusters were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A notable increase in publications since 2010, predominantly in English.
• Three main research clusters emerged: attitudes/inclusion, teacher beliefs/practices, and adapted Physical Education.
• The United States was the most prolific country, with variable international collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Research on Physical Education practicums has grown substantially since 2010.
• Three distinct thematic areas guide current research in the field.
• There is a need to foster greater international collaboration among researchers.