Current Research Trends, Hotspots, and Frontiers of Physical Activity during Pregnancy: A Bibliometric Analysis

Yanbing Zhou, Xian Guo (), Jinhao Mu, Jingying Liu, Hongying Yang and Chenxi Cai
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Yanbing Zhou: School of Art, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
Xian Guo: Sport Science School, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
Jinhao Mu: Sport Science School, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
Jingying Liu: Sport Science School, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
Hongying Yang: Library of Beijing Sport University, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
Chenxi Cai: State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: Purpose: Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has been proven beneficial to pregnant women, with a significant effect on ameliorating many severe gestational complications. This work aimed to reveal current research trends, hotspots, and future frontiers in PA during pregnancy. Methods: Software CiteSpace was used to perform a bibliometric analysis with 1415 publications in the Web of Science Core Collection. Results: the number of published papers on PA during pregnancy has increased gradually by year. The United States has made the most significant contribution to the research on this topic, ranking first in the world in both the number and centrality of research. A total of 54 articles (3.8%) were published in 2022. A majority of publications were research articles (n = 1176, 78.9%). The authors and institutions of the research published have more inter-country collaborations. Different patterns of PA, prevention, and amelioration of pregnancy complications are major research hotspots. Improvement of sedentary behaviour, lifestyle intervention through leisure-time PA, and preterm care are major research frontiers and have received extensive attention in recent years. Conclusions: The current scientometric study presents an overview of PA during pregnancy research conducted throughout the preceding decades. The conclusions of this work might serve as a reference for researchers who are interested in this field.

Keywords: physical activity; pregnancy; bibliometric analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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