Intellectual Structure and Development Trends of Physical Literacy Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (2007-2024)

Öz

This study maps the developmental trends of physical literacy research during the 2007–2024 period through bibliometric analysis. A systematic search using "physical literacy" and related terms in the Web of Science Core Collection yielded 341 articles. Analyses were conducted using the R programming language and bibliometrix package (v4.1.4) across three categories: descriptive analysis, performance analysis, and scientific mapping. The field received limited academic attention from 2007–2013, experienced rapid growth in 2014–2018, and peaked in 2019 with 56 publications. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education (35 publications) emerged as the most prolific journal, while John Cairney (15 publications) was the most productive author. Geographic analysis revealed that the USA (16.4%), Canada (14.7%), and the UK (13.2%) collectively produced 44.28% of total publications. The most cited work was published by Cairney (2019) in Sports Medicine (319 citations). Keyword analyses identified children, education, and fundamental movement skills as focal points. Despite rapid growth, the field faces conceptual ambiguity, methodological challenges, and geographic imbalances. Concentration in Anglo-Saxon countries and overemphasis on childhood constitute major limitations. Türkiye international publication visibility remains limited. Future research should prioritize conceptual clarification, methodological innovation, geographic diversification, and strengthening of lifespan perspectives.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Physical literacy
• Bibliometric analysis
• Science mapping
• Web of Science

Bedensel Okuryazarlık Araştırmalarının Bilimsel Yapısı ve Gelişim Eğilimleri: Bibliyometrik Bir İnceleme (2007-2024)

Öz

Bu çalışma, bedensel okuryazarlık alanının 2007–2024 dönemindeki gelişim eğilimlerini bibliyometrik analiz yoluyla haritalandırmaktadır. Web of Science Core Collection veri tabanında "physical literacy" ve ilgili terimler kullanılarak gerçekleştirilen sistematik tarama sonucunda 341 makaleye ulaşılmıştır. Analizler, R programlama dili ve bibliometrix paketi (v4.1.4) kullanılarak tanımlayıcı analiz, performans analizi ve bilimsel haritalandırma kategorilerinde yürütülmüştür. Alan 2007–2013 döneminde sınırlı ilgi görürken 2014–2018'de hızlı büyümüş ve 2019'da 56 yayınla zirveye ulaşmıştır. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education (35 yayın) en üretken dergi, John Cairney (15 yayın) en üretken araştırmacı olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Coğrafi analiz, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (%16,4), Kanada (%14,7) ve İngiltere'nin (%13,2) toplam yayınların %44,28'ini ürettiğini göstermektedir. En çok atıf alan çalışma Cairney (2019) tarafından Sports Medicine'de yayımlanmıştır (319 atıf). Anahtar kelime analizleri çocuklar, eğitim ve temel hareket becerilerinin odak noktaları olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Alan hızlı büyümesine rağmen kavramsal belirsizlik, metodolojik zorluklar ve coğrafi dengesizliklerle karşı karşıyadır. Anglo-Sakson ülkelerde yoğunlaşma ve çocukluk dönemine aşırı odaklanma alanın temel sınırlılıklarıdır. Türkiye'nin uluslararası yayın görünürlüğü sınırlıdır. Gelecekte kavramsal netleştirme, metodolojik yenilik, coğrafi çeşitlendirme ve yaşam boyu perspektifin güçlendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bedensel okuryazarlık
• Bibliyometrik analiz
• Bilim haritalama
• Web of Science

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