Research Trends in Sports Volunteering: A Focus on Polish Contributions to Global Knowledge

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a growing academic interest in sports volunteering, recognizing its critical role in the effective organization and sustainability of sporting events. This study aims to systematically review the scope and outcomes of research conducted by Polish scholars on sports volunteering, accessible to an international audience. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to structure the assessment. The analysis covers studies published between 2014 and 2022, evaluating their contributions to the understanding of volunteer motivation, event management, and the integration of sustainability practices within the context of sports events. The findings not only provide insights into the current state of research on sports volunteering in Poland but also highlight potential future research directions, particularly concerning the sustainability of volunteer engagement in sports event management.