Identifying Key Areas and Findings of Top International Research in Educational Sports: Implications for Policy and Practice

Background and Purpose
According to the performance report of the Ministry of Sports and Youth from 2013 to 2021, despite significant planning and various initiatives undertaken at multiple levels and across different sectors of the sports domain, educational sports have unfortunately not secured a prominent or effective position within the structure of the country’s sports sector. This observation is corroborated by Serlak and Kaveh (2022), who emphasize that educational sports in the nation’s schools suffer from numerous deficiencies and limitations that necessitate systematic and innovative planning to overcome. Over the past two decades, the importance of school sports has increasingly attracted the attention of international researchers, resulting in a growing body of knowledge, accumulated experiences, and the development of theoretical frameworks. However, domestic research in this area remains limited, with no comprehensive studies that thoroughly examine international research trends and findings. Most local studies tend to focus on comparative analyses with developed countries or conduct content analyses of existing domestic research, which does not provide a holistic understanding of global advancements in the field.
One of the most effective scientific methods to gain a deeper understanding of global trends in a particular scientific domain, and to benefit from the experiences and successes of leading countries, involves the identification and detailed examination of top international research in that field. Conducting a comprehensive review of research and international trends can significantly contribute to improving the policies and programs related to educational sports and facilitate their more effective implementation in schools nationwide. Such efforts would lay a strong foundation for the comprehensive development of students and, by extension, society as a whole. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the key areas and findings of the most influential international research in the field of educational sports within schools.
 
Methods
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical and applied research approach, combining bibliometric quantitative analysis with qualitative textual content analysis. The statistical population comprises all articles published on the topic of educational sports in schools, indexed in the Scopus database between 1999 and 2023. The sampling strategy was purposeful, focusing on the most highly cited research within this scientific field to ensure the inclusion of influential and impactful studies.
To obtain the research sample, bibliometric analysis was first employed. The research problem and study area were clearly defined, and a search strategy was developed based on a review of the literature. Keywords such as "physical activity in schools," "school sports," "educational sports," "sports education," and related synonyms were selected as search terms. To ensure the relevance and quality of the selected articles, a two-stage screening and data cleansing process was implemented. The first stage involved applying filters within the database to exclude studies outside the specified time period, document type, and language criteria. The second stage followed the PRISMA (2021) protocol, which involved removing duplicate publications, irrelevant studies, and those lacking English versions, titles, abstracts, or keywords.
Ultimately, 387 articles were identified as the final sample for analysis. Among these, the top ten articles based on citation counts were selected for detailed textual content analysis. Open coding was utilized to analyze the content of these selected articles, and the reliability of the coding process was confirmed through coder agreement. Additionally, software tools including R, VOSviewer, and Maxqda were employed to facilitate data analysis and visualization.
 
Findings
The bibliometric analysis revealed that these 387 studies were published across 133 different journals. The annual growth rate of scientific production in this field was calculated at 18.94%, indicating a rapidly expanding research interest. The average number of citations per study was 16.24, reflecting a moderate level of academic impact. The authors utilized a total of 1,092 unique keywords to categorize their research, demonstrating the diversity of topics within the field.
Regarding authorship, 60 studies were single-author publications, while the remaining 327 were collaborative works, with an average of 2.84 authors per study. International collaborations accounted for 22.48% of the research, highlighting the global nature of educational sports research.
The most cited study in this domain, authored by Lee et al. (2007), focused on the outcomes of school health policies and programs related to physical education and physical activity. Nine other top-cited studies, with the exception of one review article, concentrated on various models of physical education instruction aimed at the development and empowerment of students and teachers.
Citation analysis of keywords revealed that the concepts most frequently emphasized by leading authors included "designed educational models for physical education," "professional development and teacher socialization," "benefits of physical education for students," and "educational content." These themes reflect the core interests and priorities within the international research community.
Content analysis of the full texts of the top articles identified 170 initial codes, which were refined and merged to eliminate redundancy. These codes were then organized into 23 subcategories and further distilled into seven main categories: infrastructure, implementation processes, human resources, policies and programs, communications, outcomes, and challenges related to school physical education.
 Conclusion
The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive evaluation and revision of existing policies and programs governing educational sports in Iran. To address the identified gaps and limitations, several key recommendations emerge from the analysis.
First, it is essential to prioritize the issues and challenges facing school sports to ensure that resources and efforts are directed toward the most critical areas. Second, the development of specialized educational content tailored to different educational levels and cultural contexts is necessary to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of physical education curricula. Third, expanding sports festivals and events can increase diversity and participation, fostering greater student engagement and enthusiasm for physical activity.
Fourth, adopting updated and specialized teaching methods that reflect contemporary pedagogical advances will improve instructional quality. Fifth, the recruitment and training of capable human resources for physical education are vital to ensure that schools have qualified and motivated teachers. Sixth, increasing the time allocated to physical education classes and ensuring access to standard sports facilities and equipment are fundamental steps toward creating supportive learning environments.
Seventh, establishing partnerships with other organizations, including governmental and non-governmental entities, can provide additional support and resources for school sports programs. Eighth, launching comprehensive information systems to monitor student sports and health will facilitate data-driven decision-making and program evaluation. Finally, promoting a sports-centered school culture will help institutionalize physical activity as a valued and integral part of student life.
By implementing these strategies, Iran can significantly enhance the quality and impact of educational sports, thereby fostering the holistic development of students and contributing positively to society at large.
Article Message
In order to enhance educational sports in Iranian schools, it is highly effective to leverage successful global experiences and achievements. This endeavor requires a comprehensive review of existing policies, substantial improvements in infrastructure, focused training of human resources, and the design of educational content that is tailored to the diverse educational levels and cultural contexts present within the country. Ultimately, the goal of educational sports is to promote the holistic development of students and to institutionalize a culture of sports within society through the school system.