Mapping global research trends in swimming anatomy and physiology: A bibliometric analysis (2015-2025)
Keywords:
bibliometric analysis, swimming, anatomy, physiologyAbstract
Background: Swimming performance is fundamentally influenced by the interaction between anatomical structures and physiological functions, both of which determine movement efficiency, endurance capacity, and overall athletic performance. Despite the increasing number of studies examining these aspects separately, there is still no comprehensive bibliometric investigation that systematically maps the research landscape on anatomy and physiology in swimming. Objectives: This study employs bibliometric analysis to comprehensively identify and characterize research trends within the field of anatomy and physiology as they pertain to swimming over the past decade (2015-2025). Methods: This study systematically analyzed 371 Scopus-indexed publications concerning the anatomy and physiology of swimming, published within the decade spanning 2015 to 2025. To discern prominent research trends, we employed co-word analysis and text mining techniques, facilitated by VOSviewer software. Finding/Results: The bibliometric analysis indicated an absence of a consistent upward trend in research within the field of anatomy and physiology related to swimming. Peak publication years were observed in 2015 and 2017, each recording 58 documents. Geographically, the United States was the most prolific contributor, accounting for 173 published documents. Lauder, G.V., was identified as the most influential author, having individually contributed 12 publications. Regarding subject focus, Agricultural and Biological Sciences constituted the predominant area of research, representing 193 documents (29.2%) of the total publications in this domain. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of research on anatomy and physiology in swimming and identifies key contributors and emerging themes for future investigation.
Downloads
References
Adams, D. S., & Fish, F. E. (2019). Odontocete Peduncle Tendons for Possible Control of Fluke Orientation and Flexibility. Journal of Morphology, 280(9), 1323–1331. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21033
Adenle, A. A., De Steur, H., Mwongera, C., Rola-Rubzen, F., de Barcellos, M. D., Vivanco, D. F., Timilsina, G. R., Possas, C., Alders, R., Chertow, M., Poons, S., & Scholes, B. (2023). Global UN 2030 Agenda: How Can Science, Technology and Innovation Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals for All?. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, 2(10 October), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000085
AlSamhori, J. F., Alshrouf, M. A., AlSamhori, A. R. F., Alshadeedi, F. M., Madi, A. S., & Alzoubi, O. (2023). Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Athletes, Sports Events, and Mass Gathering Events: Review and Recommendations. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 5(3), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2023.07.006
Arhesa, S., Ma’mun, A., Mulyana, B., & Sutresna, N. (2024). Research Trends in Swimming and Diving: A Five-Year Bibliometric Analysis (2019-2023). Journal Sport Area, 9(3), 408–418. https://doi.org/10.25299/sportarea.2024.vol9(3).16626
Armitage, A. E., & Moretti, D. (2019). The Importance of Iron Status for Young Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceuticals, 12(2), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12020059
Avcı, P., Bayrakdar, A., Meriçelli, M., İncetaş, M. O., Panoutsakopoulos, V., Kollias, I. A., Ay Yıldız, Y., Akbaş, D., Satılmış, N., Kılınçarslan, G., Akyüz, B., Kırıkoğlu, N., & Yumuk, E. D. (2023). Revolutionizing Sport - How Technology is Changing the Sports Industry?. In The Use of Developing Technology in Sports (Issue October). Özgür Publications. https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub315
Baldassarre, R., Bonifazi, M., Zamparo, P., & Piacentini, M. F. (2017). Characteristics and Challenges of Open-Water Swimming Performance: A Review. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(10), 1275–1284. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0230
Blanco-Mesa, F., Merigó, J. M., & Gil-Lafuente, A. M. (2017). Fuzzy Decision Making: A Bibliometric-Based Review. Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 32(3), 2033–2050. https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-161640
Blegur, J., Ma’mun, A., Mahendra, A., Mahardika, I. M. S., & Tlonaen, Z. A. (2023). Bibliometric Analysis of Micro-Teaching Model Research Trends in 2013-2023. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 4(3), 523–533. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v4i3.782
Cobo, M. J., López-Herrera, A. G., Herrera-Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2011). Science Mapping Software Tools: Review, Analysis, and Cooperative Study among Tools. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(7), 1382–1402. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21525
Costa, M. J., Balasekaran, G., Vilas-Boas, J. P., & Barbosa, T. M. (2015). Physiological Adaptations to Training in Competitive Swimming: A Systematic Review. Journal of Human Kinetics, 49(1), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2015-0120
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., & Pattnaik, D. (2020). Forty-Five Years of Journal of Business Research: A Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Business Research, 109(October 2019), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.039
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to Conduct a Bibliometric Analysis: An Overview and Guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133(April), 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
Endriani, D., Gultom, S., Fahmi, M., Destya, M. R., & Nadzalan, A. bin M. (2024). Mapping the Landscape of Small-Sided Games in Team Sports: A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review. Journal Sport Area, 9(2), 170–185. https://doi.org/10.25299/sportarea.2024.vol9(2).16513
Fish, F. E., Rybczynski, N., Lauder, G. V., & Duff, C. M. (2021). The Role of the Tail or Lack Thereof in the Evolution of Tetrapod Aquatic Propulsion. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61(2), 398–413. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab021
Fitrianto, A. T., Rizky, O. B., Rahmadi, E., & Ramadhan, A. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Swimming Performance Prediction: Methods, Datasets, Techniques and Research Trends. Retos, 67, 482–497. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.112197
Gui, Q., Liu, C., & Du, D. (2019). Globalization of Science and International Scientific Collaboration: A Network Perspective. Geoforum, 105(June), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.06.017
Haiyirete, X., Zhang, W., & Gao, Y. (2024). Evolving Trends in Smart Building Research: A Scientometric Analysis. Buildings, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14093023
Hibberd, E. E., Laudner, K. G., Kucera, K. L., Berkoff, D. J., Yu, B., & Myers, J. B. (2016). Effect of Swim Training on the Physical Characteristics of Competitive Adolescent Swimmers. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(11), 2813–2819. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516669506
Jeong, J., Chiu, W., & Won, D. (2024). Mapping Knowledge Structures and Theme Trends in Sport Diplomacy: A Bibliometric Analysis. Sport in Society, 0(0), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2024.2424566
Khatra, O., Shadgan, A., Taunton, J., Pakravan, A., & Shadgan, B. (2021). A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top Cited Articles in Sports and Exercise Medicine. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967120969902
Kruss, G., McGrath, S., Petersen, I. haam, & Gastrow, M. (2015). Higher Education and Economic Development: The Importance of Building Technological Capabilities. International Journal of Educational Development, 43, 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.04.011
Kwak, B., & Bae, J. (2017). Design of Hair-Like Appendages and Comparative Analysis on Their Coordination Toward Steady and Efficient Swimming. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 12(3), 0–17. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/aa6c7a
Marmoah, S., Gestiardi, R., Sarwanto, S., Chumdari, C., & Maryani, I. (2022). A Bibliometric Analysis of Collaboration Skills in Education (2019-2021). Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 16(4), 542–551. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v16i4.20337
Maulidin, M., Asmawi, A., & Tangkudung, J. (2019). Regression Analysis of Breaststroke Swim Performance From Physical, Physiological and Energy Parameters. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Studies, 1(3), 201-207. https://doi.org/10.29103/ijevs.v1i3.1590
Medeiros, A., Fernandes, C., Gonçalves, J. F., & Farinha-Marques, P. (2021). Research Trends on Integrative Landscape Assessment using Indicators – A Systematic Review. Ecological Indicators, 129(June). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107815
Mejia, C., Wu, M., Zhang, Y., & Kajikawa, Y. (2021). Exploring Topics in Bibliometric Research Through Citation Networks and Semantic Analysis. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 6(September), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2021.742311
Millet, G. P., Brocherie, F., & Burtscher, J. (2021). Olympic Sports Science—Bibliometric Analysis of All Summer and Winter Olympic Sports Research. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3(October 2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.772140
Mills, C., Lomax, M., Ayres, B., & Scurr, J. (2015). The Movement of the Trunk and Breast during Front Crawl and Breaststroke Swimming. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(4), 427–436. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.946951
Morais, J. E., Forte, P., Nevill, A. M., Barbosa, T. M., & Marinho, D. A. (2020). Upper-Limb Kinematics and Kinetics Imbalances in the Determinants of Front-Crawl Swimming at Maximal Speed in Young International Level Swimmers. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68581-3
Morton, W. J., Melau, J., Olsen, R. A., Løvvik, O. M., Hisdal, J., & Søvik, S. (2025). Thermal Physiology of Open Water Wetsuited Swimming: A Cohort Study. Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 12(3), 245–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2025.2479893
Novia, N., Riandi, R., Permanasari, A., & Kaniawati, I. (2022). Hot Topics and Frontier Evolution of Game In Stem Learning Research : A Bibliometric Mapping from 2002 to 2022. Jurnal Inspirasi Pendidikan, 12(2), 120–128. https://doi.org/10.21067/jip.v12i2.7451
Nur’aeni, E., Rustandi , E., & Arhesa, S. (2023). Pengaruh Latihan Variasi Terhadap Keterampilan Renang Gaya Bebas Pada Atlet Pemula. Jurnal Educatio FKIP UNMA, 9(1), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i1.4562
Oosthuyse, T., McVeigh, J. A., Micklesfield, L. K., & Meiring, R. M. (2017). Radial and tibial bone indices in athletes participating in different endurance sports: a pQCT study. European journal of sport science, 17(2), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2016.1219770
Özkadi, T., Demir, E., Yildirim, T., Çaglar, E. Ç., Alagoz, İ., & Aydogdu, G. (2022). Bibliometric Analysis of Swimming Publications in Sports Science: A Medical Perspective. Hitit Medical Journal, 4(2), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.52827/hititmedj.1121920
Page, M. J., & Moher, D. (2017). Evaluations of the Uptake and Impact of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement and Extensions: A Scoping Review. Systematic Reviews, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0663-8
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Panagiotakis, E., Mok, K. M., Fong, D. T. P., & Bull, A. M. J. (2017). Biomechanical Analysis of Ankle Ligamentous Sprain Injury Cases from Televised Basketball Games: Understanding When, How and Why Ligament Failure Occurs. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(12), 1057–1061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.05.006
Perdima, F. E., Hadiwinarto, & Balint, G. (2022). Evaluation of Learning in Physical Education: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Trends. Journal Sport Area, 7(1), 160–170. https://doi.org/10.25299/sportarea.2022.vol7(1).8059
Ponciano, K., Miranda, M. L. de J., Homma, M., Miranda, J. M. Q., Figueira Júnior, A. J., Meira Júnior, C. D. M., & Bocalini, D. S. (2018). Physiological Responses during the Practice of Synchronized Swimming: A Systematic Review. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 38(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12412
Pyne, D. B., & Sharp, R. L. (2014). Physical and Energy Requirements of Competitive Swimming Events. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 24(4), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2014-0047
Richards, J., Siefken, K., Pratt, M., Bauman, A., Mejía-Grueso, J., Woods, C. B., Wendel-Vos, W., Hinckson, E., Salvo, D., Hallal, P. C., & Varela, A. R. (2024). Navigating Physical Activity Promotion and Policy in the Post-COVID-19-Pandemic Era. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(12), 1412–1422. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0206
Roelofs, E. J., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Trexler, E. T., & Hirsch, K. R. (2017). Seasonal Effects on Body Composition, Muscle Characteristics, and Performance of Collegiate Swimmers and Divers. Journal of Athletic Training, 52(1), 45–50. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-51.12.26
Seifert, L., Komar, J., Barbosa, T., Toussaint, H., Millet, G., & Davids, K. (2014). Coordination Pattern Variability Provides Functional Adaptations to Constraints in Swimming Performance. Sports Medicine, 44(10), 1333–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0210-x
Shadwick, R. E., Potvin, J., & Goldbogen, J. A. (2019). Lunge feeding in Rorqual Whales. Physiology, 34(6), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.00010.2019
Simbaña-Escobar, D., Hellard, P., & Seifert, L. (2020). Influence of Stroke Rate on Coordination and Sprint Performance in Elite Male and Female Swimmers. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 30(11), 2078–2091. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13786
Skinner, J., & Smith, A. C. T. (2021). Introduction: Sport and COVID-19: Impacts and Challenges for the Future (Volume 1). European Sport Management Quarterly, 21(3), 323–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2021.1925725
Strozzi, F., Colicchia, C., Creazza, A., & Noè, C. (2017). Literature Review on the ‘Smart Factory’ Concept Using Bibliometric Tools. International Journal of Production Research, 55(22), 6572–6591. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1326643
Sweileh, W. M., Al-Jabi, S. W., AbuTaha, A. S., Zyoud, S. H., Anayah, F. M. A., & Sawalha, A. F. (2017). Bibliometric Analysis of Worldwide Scientific Literature in Mobile - Health: 2006-2016. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-017-0476-7
Temm, D. A., Standing, R. J., & Best, R. (2022). Training, Wellbeing and Recovery Load Monitoring in Female Youth Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811463
Tofas, T., Draganidis, D., Deli, C. K., Georgakouli, K., Fatouros, I. G., & Jamurtas, A. Z. (2020). Exercise-Induced Regulation of Redox Status in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Exercise Training and Detraining. Antioxidants, 9(1), 1–41. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010013
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software Survey: VOSviewer, A Computer Program For Bibliometric Mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2014). Visualizing Bibliometric Networks. In: Ding, Y., Rousseau, R., Wolfram, D. (eds) Measuring Scholarly Impact. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10377-8_13
Wackerhage, H., Everett, R., Krüger, K., Murgia, M., Simon, P., Gehlert, S., Neuberger, E., Baumert, P., & Schönfelder, M. (2020). Sport, Exercise and COVID-19, the Disease Caused by the SARS-Cov-2 Coronavirus. Deutsche Zeitschrift Fur Sportmedizin, 5(5), E1–E11. https://doi.org/10.5960/DZSM.2020.441
Whitlow, K. R., Santini, F., & Oufiero, C. E. (2019). Convergent Evolution of Locomotor Morphology but not Performance in Gymnotiform Swimmers. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 32(1), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.13399
Wijaya, A., Al Ardha, M. A., Nurhasan, N., Bikalawan, S. S., Yang, C. B., Lin, R. H., & Putro, A. B. (2024). Exploring the Research Trend and Development of Sports Science Technology in the Last 4 Decades: Systematic Review. Retos, 61, 655–667. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.109306
Wong, A. Y. Y., Ling, S. K. K., Louie, L. H. T., Law, G. Y. K., So, R. C. H., Lee, D. C. W., Yau, F. C. F., & Yung, P. S. H. (2020a). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports and Exercise. Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology, 22, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asmart.2020.07.006
Xia, D., Li, Z., Lei, M., Yan, H., & Zhou, Z. (2023). A Comparative and Collaborative Study of the Hydrodynamics of Two Swimming Modes Applicable to Dolphins. Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland), 8(3), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8030311
Xue, X., Wang, L., & Yang, R. J. (2018). Exploring the Science of Resilience: Critical Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Natural Hazards, 90(1), 477–510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-017-3040-y
Yu Kwok, W., So, B. C. L., Tse, D. H. T., & Ng, S. S. M. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Biomechanical Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Strength and Conditioning Training Programs on Front Crawl Swimming Performance. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 20(4), 564–585. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.564
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Sandra Arhesa, Dewi Laelatul Badriah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium. Copyrights of all materials published in Journal Sport Area are freely available without charge to users or / institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, search, or link to full-text articles in this journal without asking by giving appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. All of the remix, transform, or build upon the material must distribute the contributions under the same license as the original.
Accepted 2025-10-21
Published 2025-12-07

