Research advances in physical activity and insomnia: a bibliometric and thematic evolution analysis
Abstract
Background: Insomnia affects approximately 16.2% of the global population, constituting a substantial public health burden associated with diverse adverse health outcomes. Although physical activity (PA) represents a modifiable health behavior with demonstrated potential for sleep improvement, a systematic mapping of research hotspots and evolutionary trajectories in this domain remains lacking.
Methods: We systematically retrieved English-language publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from inception through May 20, 2026. A comprehensive search strategy combining subject headings with free-text keywords yielded 2,224 included records. We utilized the Bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer software to visualize publication patterns across countries, institutions, journals, and authors; constructed thematic evolution maps; and identified research hotspots and emerging trends through strategic diagram analysis. We retrieved a supplementary Scopus dataset for cross-database validation. Web of Science served as the primary data source for analyses and visualizations, while Scopus verified trend consistency.
Results: The annual growth rate of publications reached 15.12%. The United States (n = 397) and China (n = 462) emerged as the predominant contributing nations. High-impact institutions included Harvard University and the University of California system. Among journals, Sleep Medicine exhibited the highest h-index. Thematic evolution revealed four…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 462 participants or records.
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