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Gamification in physical educationinsights from bibliometric analyses and conceptual mapping

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Paper title:

Gamification in physical educationinsights from bibliometric analyses and conceptual mapping
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4316/SAM.2025.0216
Published in: Volume XVIII issue 2/ 2025
Publishing date: 2025
Pages:
Author(s): Stoica Leonard

Scheuleac Adelina
Abstract. This study examines the application of gamification in Physical Education (PE) by analyzing scientific literature published between 2020 and 2025 in the Web of Science database. From the records identified, 76 articles met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated through bibliometric, conceptual, and thematic analyses. The findings indicate increased research interest in gamification and highlight two central nodes, Gamification and Physical Education, around which three major thematic clusters are organized. The affective-motivational cluster shows consistent associations with intrinsic motivation, satisfaction, and student engagement, suggesting that gamified strategies enhance the psychological climate of PE lessons. The performance-oriented cluster includes outcomes related to motor and cognitive progress, indicating the potential of gamified interventions to support learning outcomes. The theoretical-methodological cluster reveals frequent reliance on frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory and Game-Based Learning. Overall, the reviewed literature indicates positive effects on student motivation and participation, although evidence regarding performance outcomes remains inconsistent. These results suggest that gamification is a promising instructional approach in PE, with potential for broader practical implementation, but further rigorous experimental studies and standardised methodologies are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
Keywords: gamification, physical education, bibliometric analysis, conceptual mapping
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