From recreation to research A bibliometric and conceptual mapping of pickleball science (2016–2026)
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Pickleball has experienced explosive global growth, yet its scientific literature remains fragmented. This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of pickleball research, aiming to map publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic structures while proposing a conceptual framework for the field. Using PRISMA guidelines, we retrieved 285 documents from Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect (2016–February 2026) and analysed them using Biblioshiny (R). Results reveal an exponential publication surge, particularly after 2024, with the United States dominating productivity (172 publications, 443 citations). Research bifurcates into a dual scientific paradigm: health promotion (psychosocial benefits, well-being, social capital) versus injury risk (fractures, sprains, falls in older adults). The conceptual framework we introduce integrates these axes across population demographics and research domains. Thematic analysis identifies serious leisure, ageing, and injury epidemiology as dominant clusters, yet methodological limitations—predominantly cross-sectional designs and lack of experimental studies persist. We propose a future research agenda emphasizing randomized controlled trials, biomechanical investigations, and international collaboration. This study provides a knowledge map for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, positioning pickleball as a model for understanding how recreational activities transition into established research domains.
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