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

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.

A review of public health guidelines for postpartum physical activity and sedentary behavior from around the world

“…This is a large increase from the prior review, which summarized postpartum PA guidelines from 5 countries published up to 2009. 30 In the past decade, much new scientific evidence has been published on the benefits and risks of postpartum PA and SB, 60 so the increase is not surprising. In the current review, all postpartum guidance provided recommendations on PA, and half provided brief recommendations or statements on SB.…”

Bibliometric Analysis: Six Decades of Scientific Production from a Single Nationwide Institution: Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales De Los Trabajadores Del Estado (ISSSTE) from Mexico

“…We envision our bibliometric analysis as the Google Maps of research (34) as it works as a network server that offers an aerial view of research, (35) allows policy makers to take decisions according to identified abandoned and neglected areas (as an analogy to knowledge gaps), (36) shows where everybody is crowded (as an analogy of what are the main interests in the scientific field) (37) and predicts where you should go in the future (38) (focus on the most prevalent pathologies in medical consultation).…”

Bibliometric Analysis: Six Decades of Scientific Production from a Nationwide Institution: Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE) from Mexico

“…We see our bibliometric analysis as a type of Google Map for research [ 25 ]. Like a web mapping platform, it provides an aerial view of research [ 26 ], which can help policymakers identify neglected areas (analogous to knowledge gaps) [ 27 ], pinpoint where researchers are most active (analogous to areas of scientific interest) [ 28 ], and predict where future research should focus [ 29 ], such as on the most prevalent pathologies in medical consultations.…”