Thematic and Structural Evolution of Strength and Power Research in Sports Sciences: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Aim: This study bibliometrically examined works on the topics of "power" and "strength" published in the field of Sports Sciences in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 1980 and 2024, revealing research trends, collaboration structures, and thematic developments; thus providing a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the scientific progress in the field. Method: This bibliometric study analyzed 1,230 publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection between 1980 and 2024, containing the terms “strength” or “power.” Data were retrieved in January 2025 and analyzed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) to visualize co-authorship, country, institution, and keyword networks. Publication and citation counts, author productivity, and keyword co-occurrences were evaluated through standard bibliometric indicators. Results: A total of 1,230 articles published between 1980 and 2024 were analyzed, showing a marked rise in publications and citations after 2010. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were the most productive countries, while Stone, Kraemer, and Suchomel were leading contributors. The most frequent keywords were “strength training,” “power,” “athletic performance,” and “muscle adaptation.” Conclusion: The results indicate that the rise in publication and citation counts since 2010 reflects a growing academic interest in strength and power research, positioning this field as a major focus area within sports sciences.

Keywords

• Exercise
• Health
• Sports Sciences
• Bibliometric Analysis

Spor Bilimlerinde Kuvvet ve Güç Araştırmalarının Tematik ve Yapısal Evrimi: Bibliyometrik Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, 1980–2024 yılları arasında Web of Science (WoS) veri tabanında Spor Bilimleri alanında yayımlanan “güç” ve “kuvvet” konulu çalışmaları bibliyometrik olarak inceleyerek araştırma eğilimlerini, iş birliği yapısını ve tematik gelişimi ortaya koymuş; böylece alanın bilimsel ilerleyişine ilişkin kapsamlı ve güncel bir değerlendirme sunmuştur. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu bibliyometrik çalışma, 1980–2024 yılları arasında Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection veri tabanında dizinlenen ve “strength” veya “power” terimlerini içeren 1.230 yayını analiz etmiştir. Veriler Ocak 2025’te toplanmış ve yazar iş birliği, ülke, kurum ve anahtar kelime ağlarını görselleştirmek amacıyla VOSviewer (sürüm 1.6.19) yazılımı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Yayın ve atıf sayıları, yazar üretkenliği ve anahtar kelime eş-oluşumları standart bibliyometrik göstergeler aracılığıyla değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Analiz sonucunda 1980–2024 yılları arasında yayımlanan 1.230 makale incelenmiş ve 2010 sonrası dönemde yayın ile atıf sayılarında belirgin bir artış saptanmıştır. En üretken ülkeler Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, Birleşik Krallık ve Avustralya olurken, Stone, Kraemer ve Suchomel en çok katkı sağlayan araştırmacılar olarak belirlenmiştir. En sık kullanılan anahtar kelimeler “strength training”, “power”, “athletic performance” ve “muscle adaptation” olmuştur. Sonuç: 2010 yılından itibaren yayın ve atıf sayısındaki artış, güç ve kuvvet araştırmalarına yönelik akademik ilginin hızla yükseldiğini ve bu alanın spor bilimlerinde önemli bir odak noktası haline geldiğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Egzersiz
• Sağlık
• Spor Bilimleri
• Bibliyometrik Analiz

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