Scoping review of Wushu interventions: themes, methods, and sociological gaps

Background: This scoping review aimed to map Wushu-based interventions across four domains—educational, clinical/health, psychological/motor, and cultural—highlighting how they are implemented, evaluated, and where methodological and sociological gaps persist. Materials and Methods: The review followed the frameworks of Arksey & O’Malley and Levac et al., integrating PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed (2015–2025), using PCC criteria. A total of 2,671 records were identified, and 22 studies were included after a full-text evaluation. Results: The selected studies span 11 countries and report interventions lasting 8 to 52 weeks. Recurring outcomes include improvements in balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, bone density, and psychosocial indicators such as anxiety and self-efficacy. Methodological heterogeneity prevented quantitative synthesis. Conclusions: Wushu interventions demonstrate promising applications across diverse contexts; however, future research should address gaps in standardization, geographic and demographic diversity, and the integration of sociological analysis to strengthen comparative designs and evidence-based implementation.