Knowledge mapping of exercise and physical activity research in older adults: Hotspots, bursts, and trends of the last decade

Abstract

Background and objectivesGlobal aging has increased the importance of health management in older adults. Exercise is a crucial strategy for healthy aging and has led to numerous scientific advancements due to its impact on age-related illnesses. We aim to investigate the research hotspots, bursts of knowledge base, and trends in the field of exercise and physical activity in older adults over the past decade and present them in a visual manner. MethodsWe searched and retrieved data from the Web of Science database, and performed a bibliometric analysis of publications on exercise and physical activity research in older adults from 2013 to 2022. We evaluated the current status and hotspots through co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer. The evolution and bursts of knowledge base were assessed through co-citation analysis using CiteSpace. Thematic evolution was analyzed using the bibliometrix package to discover keyword trends. The attribution and collaboration of countries/regions, institutions and authors were also analyzed. ResultsA total of 27,820 publications were included. Publications on exercise and physical activity in older adults increased from 1755 records in 2013–3737 records in 2022 annually. In co-occurrence analysis of keywords, 5 major clusters were revealed: sarcopenia, cognition, frailty, mental health, and rehabilitation. Co-citation analysis reveals that the knowledge base has evolved from references focused on frailty, dementia, and physical activity before 2016 to references focus on sarcopenia, cognition and sedentary behavior after 2020. Among the top 10 high-frequency keywords, sarcopenia demonstrated a consistent and significant upward trend, with its percentage increasing from 8.7 % (82 times) in 2016 to 12.2 % (236 times) in the most recent year, making it the most frequently used keyword. Frailty ranked second, starting at 5.6 % (41 times) in 2013 and gradually rising to 11.7 % (225 times) in 2022. The most productive country, institution and author were the USA (8212 publications), the University of Pittsburgh(501 publications), and Brendon Stubbs(94 publications), respectively. DiscussionPublications on exercise and physical activity for older adults have surged in the last decade, accompanied by a shift in the knowledge base. Regional disparities in the academic output in this field need to be addressed in the future to promote healthy aging.