<![CDATA[Research Problems: The growing pétanque literature remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis, making it difficult to understand research trends, dominant themes, and knowledge gaps. Research Objective: This study aims to map the evolution, thematic structure, methodological characteristics, and future research directions of pétanque research through a scoping review. Methods: Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was conducted using the Scopus database with the Boolean query TITLE-ABS-KEY ("petanque" OR "pétanque"). Eligible studies published between 2017 and 2026 were screened and synthesized through descriptive and thematic analyses to identify publication patterns, research themes, and future research directions. Results: Twenty studies were included in the review. Publication output increased after 2020 and was predominantly concentrated in Indonesia. The literature was dominated by experimental and correlational studies, with performance enhancement, training interventions, and physical determinants emerging as the most frequently investigated themes. Emerging areas included technology-assisted athlete monitoring, biomechanical analysis, socio-cultural perspectives, and sport management. Despite this diversification, psychological, organizational, and athlete well-being research remained scarce, indicating important gaps in the current evidence base. Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that pétanque has emerged as a developing field within sport science, characterized by a strong performance-oriented focus and growing technological innovation. Expanding research beyond traditional performance determinants toward multidisciplinary and holistic perspectives may strengthen the scientific foundation of athlete development and performance in precision sports.]]>
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