Mapping global research trends in swimming anatomy and physiology: A bibliometric analysis (2015-2025)

https://doi.org/10.25299/sportarea.2025.vol10(3).23643

Authors

  • Sandra Arhesa Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Majalengka, Majalengka, Indonesia
  • Dewi Laelatul Badriah Master's Program in Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Bhakti Husada Indonesia, Kuningan, Indonesia

Keywords:

bibliometric analysis, swimming, anatomy, physiology

Abstract

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

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Sandra Arhesa, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Majalengka, Majalengka, Indonesia

Email: [email protected]

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4150-9597

mceclip0-16692e61199a3c5c81398b28b879d82b.png

Dewi Laelatul Badriah, Master's Program in Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Bhakti Husada Indonesia, Kuningan, Indonesia

Email: [email protected]

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6265-4278

mceclip1-e480fe19716f5e63c416441e0d286a2b.png

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

2025-12-07

How to Cite

Arhesa, S., & Badriah, D. L. (2025). Mapping global research trends in swimming anatomy and physiology: A bibliometric analysis (2015-2025). Journal Sport Area, 10(3), 341–355. https://doi.org/10.25299/sportarea.2025.vol10(3).23643

Issue

Section

REVIEW ARTICLES
Received 2025-07-01
Accepted 2025-10-21
Published 2025-12-07

Most read articles by the same author(s)