A five-decade bibliometric review of interventions for performance anxiety in sports: Key themes and future directions

Abstract

Introduction: Performance anxiety is a significant psychological factor influencing athletes’ performance across various sports. Methods: This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive review of research on performance anxiety in sports, spanning from 1974 to 2024. Utilizing data from the Scopus database, the study examines 794 journal articles to identify core research themes, influential contributors, global collaboration networks, and emerging trends. Results: The analysis reveals an annual growth rate of 8.07% and highlights the dominance of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom in driving research and fostering international collaborations. Key themes include stress, self-confidence, mental health, and performance enhancement, with recent trends focusing on digital interventions, motivational climate, and esports. Highly cited papers and prominent journals underscore the interdisciplinary integration of psychology, physiology, and sports science. The study also maps the thematic evolution of the field, showcasing a shift from foundational constructs to applied interventions and contemporary topics. Discussion: Findings emphasize the need for greater collaboration with underrepresented regions and exploration of emerging areas such as digital sports and personalized psychological interventions. This review offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance understanding and application in performance anxiety and sports.