Sport and Disability: Mapping Domains and Competence Networks in the Social Sciences

What are the most recent developments in the scientific literature on disability and sport? How are these topics distributed within the international academic landscape? Can we identify distinct networks of expertise focusing on specific themes? These questions guide the present study, which maps the main thematic areas and collaborative networks in social science research on sport and disability. Methodologically, the article combines a systematic mapping of the literature with bibliometric analysis, following the PRISMA protocol to ensure transparency in the selection process. The analysis is based on English-language publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science between 1992 and 2024, retrieved through the keywords "sport" and "disability". After the application of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final dataset consisted of 945 papers. The results show a field marked by steady growth and by a structured, yet uneven, thematic and collaborative configuration. The literature is strongly organised around the Paralympics and inclusion, while more recent contributions increasingly address narratives, representations, and the lived experiences of athletes with disabilities. Overall, the findings indicate a gradual diversification of the field, with growing attention to bottom-up and experience-based perspectives alongside more established institutional and policy-oriented approaches.