Research Article

Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review

Volume: 28 Number: 2 June 22, 2026
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Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review

Abstract

This study aims to examine the literature on physical literacy using bibliometric methods, moving from the general to the specific, with a particular focus on identifying trends in physical education. Within this scope, works published between 2000 and 2026 in the Web of Science database were scanned; 828 articles were analyzed in a general search using the keyword “Physical Literacy,” and 301 articles were analyzed in a specific search using the keywords “Physical Literacy” and “Physical Education” together. Within the scope of the analysis, publication years, countries, authors, universities, journals, citation impact, co-citation analysis, and keyword (co-occurrence) networks were examined and visualized using VOSviewer (1.6.20). The results show that Canada has the highest number of publications across general searches, while the United States has the highest number of publications in specific searches. The most frequently used keywords in the general search are “physical literacy,” “physical activity,” “physical education,” “children,” “motivation,” and “health,” while in the specific search, “physical literacy,” “physical education,” “physical activity,” “assessment,” “children,” and “pedagogy” stand out. The most cited study was Kirk (2013; 303 citations), while the most cited author in the general search was Tremblay Mark, in the specific search was Dudley Dean, and by country, in the general search was Canada, and in the specific search was the UK. In conclusion, while physical literacy research in the general literature focuses on health, physical activity, and child development, studies in the context of physical education tend to focus on teaching programs, pedagogical approaches, and teacher roles.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

Not applicable

Thanks

None.

References

  1. Al Husaeni, D. N. (2022). Development analysis research on physical education by mapping keywords using the VOSviewer application. ASEAN Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 1(1), 9-16.
  2. Arslan, E. (2022). Sosyal bilim araştırmalarında VOSviewer ile bibliyometrik haritalama ve örnek bir uygulama [Bibliometric mapping with VOSviewer in social science research and a sample application]. Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi [Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences], 22(Özel Sayı 2), 33–56.
  3. Bailey, R., Glibo, I., Koenen, K., & Samsudin, N. (2023). What is physical literacy? An international review and analysis of definitions. Kinesiology Review, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2023-0003
  4. Caldwell, H. A., Di Cristofaro, N. A., Cairney, J., Bray, S. R., MacDonald, M. J., & Timmons, B. W. (2020). Physical literacy, physical activity, and health indicators in school-age children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5367. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155367
  5. Cairney, J., Dudley, D., Kwan, M., Bulten, R., & Kriellaars, D. (2019). Physical literacy, physical activity and health: Toward an evidence-informed conceptual model. Sports Medicine, 49(3), 371–383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01063-3
  6. Castelli, D. M., Centeio, E. E., Beighle, A. E., Carson, R. L., & Nicksic, H. M. (2014). Physical literacy and comprehensive school physical activity programs. Preventive Medicine, 66, 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.06.007
  7. Corbin, C. B. (2016). Implications of physical literacy for research and practice: a commentary. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 87(1), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2016.1124722
  8. Dudley, D. A. (2015). A conceptual model of observed physical literacy. The Physical Educator. https://doi.org/10.18666/tpe-2015-v72-i5-6020

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Activity and Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 22, 2026

Submission Date

March 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 28 Number: 2

APA
Çoruh, H., Haşıl Korkmaz, N., & Demir Zengin, F. (2026). Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review. Research in Sport Education and Sciences, 28(2), 124-138. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1909853
AMA
1.Çoruh H, Haşıl Korkmaz N, Demir Zengin F. Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2026;28(2):124-138. doi:10.62425/rses.1909853
Chicago
Çoruh, Hasibe, Nimet Haşıl Korkmaz, and Fatma Demir Zengin. 2026. “Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 28 (2): 124-38. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1909853.
EndNote
Çoruh H, Haşıl Korkmaz N, Demir Zengin F (June 1, 2026) Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 28 2 124–138.
IEEE
[1]H. Çoruh, N. Haşıl Korkmaz, and F. Demir Zengin, “Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review”, Research in Sport Education and Sciences, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 124–138, June 2026, doi: 10.62425/rses.1909853.
ISNAD
Çoruh, Hasibe - Haşıl Korkmaz, Nimet - Demir Zengin, Fatma. “Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 28/2 (June 1, 2026): 124-138. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1909853.
JAMA
1.Çoruh H, Haşıl Korkmaz N, Demir Zengin F. Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2026;28:124–138.
MLA
Çoruh, Hasibe, et al. “Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences, vol. 28, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 124-38, doi:10.62425/rses.1909853.
Vancouver
1.Hasibe Çoruh, Nimet Haşıl Korkmaz, Fatma Demir Zengin. Bibliometric Analysis of Studies in the Field of Physical Literacy and Physical Education Using VOSviewer: A Web of Science Database Review. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2026 Jun. 1;28(2):124-38. doi:10.62425/rses.1909853

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