Mapping the Intersections of Physical Activity and Gut Microbiota: A Global Bibliometric Analysis of Research Patterns, Gaps, and Emerging Trends (2010–2025)

Abstract

The interplay between physical activity and gut microbiota has attracted growing attention across disciplines ranging from microbiology to behavioral science. While studies increasingly suggest that exercise can modulate gut microbial diversity and function, the broader landscape of this research field—its development trajectory, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution—remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of publications from 2010 to 2025, aiming to clarify the field’s structural characteristics and identify key knowledge gaps. Our findings reveal a rapidly expanding body of work, with publication surges after 2017 and concentrated outputs from a limited number of countries, institutions, and journals. Network analysis uncovered regionally imbalanced collaborations, while keyword mapping showed a transition from compositional profiling to mechanistic exploration, yet limited coverage of diverse exercise types, populations, and cultural contexts. These results underscore the need for broader, more inclusive research frameworks to guide future empirical and translational efforts in this evolving domain