REVIEW article
Front. Sports Act. Living
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1593690
Exploring the Landscape of Physical Activity and Neuroplasticity Research: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Review
Provisionally accepted
- 1Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, China
- 2Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- 3College of Physical Education, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- 4Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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Neuroplasticity, the nervous system's ability to adapt structurally and functionally to environmental changes, is essential for learning, memory, recovery, and overall brain health. Physical activity is recognized as an effective intervention to promote neuroplasticity, enhancing cognitive function and neural health. However, research on the overall landscape of "physical activity and neuroplasticity" is limited. This study used bibliometric analysis to elucidate the development status and evolution of the knowledge structure in this field. Data from the Web of Science Core Collection database covering literature published from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2024, were analyzed using software such as Excel, Scimago Graphica, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. A total of 1,854 publications meeting the selection criteria were identified, showing a gradual increase in annual publications from 2005 to 2019 and a significant surge starting from 2020. The United States ranked first in publications and citations, followed by China and Canada. The University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Illinois had the highest number of publications, with the latter leading in citation impact. Neuroscience was the journal with the most publications and citations. Research hotspots included the mechanisms of how physical activity enhances neuroplasticity and optimal intervention modalities, with keywords like "rehabilitation" and "cognition" frequently appearing. Future research should focus on clinical validation of multimodal interventions in the elderly, optimization of experimental designs in animal models, and exploration of mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to the translation of research findings from basic research to clinical applications, ultimately promoting brain health and cognitive function across the lifespan.
Keywords: Exercise, brain plasticity, bibliometric analysis, Cognitive Function, Research hotspots, Development trends
Received: 14 Mar 2025; Accepted: 02 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Yeting, Huan, Kang and Yan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Fu Yan, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.