A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults

Canan Yüksel Haji; Emine Nacar; Sinem Suner-Keklik

doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1992421

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults

Abstract

Depression is a common mental disorder worldwide and significantly affects older adults. Considering the potential role of exercise in depression management, examining research trends in this field using bibliometric methods is important. Accordingly, this study aimed to provide a systematic overview of the development of the literature by analysing English-language publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection using search terms related to depression, exercise, and older adults, without applying publication-year restrictions. A total of 53 publications identified through the search conducted on 1 March 2026 were analysed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The earliest publication on depression and exercise in older adults was published in 2007, and publication output fluctuated over time. The highest numbers of publications were recorded in 2010 and 2021. A total of 421 authors contributed to the publications, and the average number of citations per publication was 57.11. The most productive journals were the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the Journal of Affective Disorders, and Aging & Mental Health. Based on local citation counts, the most highly cited study was “Effects of Exercise on Electroencephalographic Mean Frequency in Depressed Elderly Subjects,” published by Silveira et al. in 2010. The USA and England ranked highest in publication output, whereas the USA and Germany ranked highest in citation counts. The most productive institutions were King’s College London and the University of Genoa, while the most prominent authors were Amore M., Murri M.B., and Zanetidou S. The most frequently used keywords were “depression,” “physical activity,” “exercise,” “geriatric,” and “aerobic exercise.” In conclusion, scientific output on exercise in the management of depression in older adults has generally increased and developed across several disciplines. Further research involving broader international collaboration and more diverse geographical settings is needed.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Not Applicable.

Ethical Statement

Not Applicable. This study used publicly available bibliographic data and did not involve human participants or animals.

Thanks

Not Applicable.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Geriatrics and Gerontology, Mental Health Services

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Canan Yüksel Haji ^*
0000-0002-2645-3855
Türkiye

Emine Nacar
0000-0002-1172-1837
Türkiye

Sinem Suner-Keklik
0000-0002-9506-3172
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

July 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 12, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1992421

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89DU92AB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yüksel Haji, C., Nacar, E., & Suner-Keklik, S. (2026). A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences, 11(2), 62-76. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1992421

AMA

1.Yüksel Haji C, Nacar E, Suner-Keklik S. A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2026;11(2):62-76. doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1992421

Chicago

Yüksel Haji, Canan, Emine Nacar, and Sinem Suner-Keklik. 2026. “A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 11 (2): 62-76. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1992421.

EndNote

Yüksel Haji C, Nacar E, Suner-Keklik S (August 1, 2026) A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 11 2 62–76.

IEEE

[1]C. Yüksel Haji, E. Nacar, and S. Suner-Keklik, “A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults”, Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 62–76, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.51754/ejmhs.1992421.

ISNAD

Yüksel Haji, Canan - Nacar, Emine - Suner-Keklik, Sinem. “A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 11/2 (August 1, 2026): 62-76. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1992421.

JAMA

1.Yüksel Haji C, Nacar E, Suner-Keklik S. A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2026;11:62–76.

MLA

Yüksel Haji, Canan, et al. “A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences, vol. 11, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 62-76, doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1992421.

Vancouver

1.Canan Yüksel Haji, Emine Nacar, Sinem Suner-Keklik. A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Depression and Exercise in Older Adults. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2026 Aug. 1;11(2):62-76. doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1992421