AI in digital sports coaching – a systematic review
Matthias Jud, Stefan Thalmann · Managing Sport and Leisure · 2025
Purpose: The adoption of AI in sports coaching is increasingly promising, presenting new opportunities and challenges for service providers and athletes. Although research on AI in sports coaching has largely focused on specific aspects or technology case studies to date, there is no comprehensive overview available yet. This paper aims to address this gap by examining the current state of literature regarding AI in digital sports coaching.Methodology: A structured, 3-step literature search according to Webster & Watson was conducted. 125 papers are screened, and 40 papers are analyzed in detail applying a structured content analysis.Findings: We identify the core functions of digital sports coaches, and the challenges associated with their implementation. Our findings reveal a lack of attention to managerial aspects and a need for more empirical studies on the use of digital coaches (DCs) in sports. Based on these findings, we propose a research agenda to guide future research on AI-based coaching in sports.Practical implications: Coaching functions supported by AI and the core adoption challenges are identified. Research contributions This study contributes to extending our understanding of AI in digital sports coaching by proposing a research agenda.Originality: Although research on AI in sports coaching has largely focused on specific aspects or technology case studies to date, there is no comprehensive overview available yet. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by examining the current state of literature regarding AI in digital sports coaching.