Microbiome And Physical Activity: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background: The relationship between the microbiome and physical activity is dynamic, bidirectional, and clinically significant, warranting the elucidation of mechanistic pathways and the exploration of therapeutic applications. However, the evidence remains fragmented across diverse disciplines, necessitating a mapping of this growing field to consolidate understanding and guide future research. This bibliometric analysis examines the research field of microbiome and physical activity between 2005 and 2026 to identify research trends, themes, influential publications, and future directions. Methods: Articles related to microbiome and physical activity, published between 2005 and 2026, were retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Metadata were extracted from the 327 studies that met the inclusion criteria and analyzed using Bibliometrix (v3.2.1) and VOSviewer (v1.6.19) to examine publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence maps, and cluster patterns. Finally, content analysis was conducted on top-cited studies to identify the microbiological and physiological relationship between microbiome and physical activity. Results: The research area experienced persistent growth at an annual rate of 12.56%, with China (n = 110) and the USA (n = 27) leading the global publication output. Notably, Spain exhibited higher international collaboration (MCP ratio = 43%). Hunan Normal University, China, led all other institutions in terms of the number of articles produced (n=5) during the study period. Scientific Reports was the most prominent journal (n=8), while the article by Allen et al., with 1000 citations, was the most influential study demonstrating the role of exercise in altering the gut microbiota composition and function, independent of diet. Keyword cluster analysis revealed a thematic evolution from foundational mechanisms linking exercise and microbiome to the exploration of complex clinical outcomes and interventions. Exercise altered microbiota composition and diversity and promoted short-chain fatty acid production, with evidence suggesting that specific bacteria and microbial metabolites enhanced athletic performance. Conclusions: This study shows that the intersection of microbiome and physical activity has become a dynamic, multidisciplinary field. The data consistently indicated that engaging in physical activity enhances microbial diversity, increases the abundance of taxa that produce short-chain fatty acids, and influences the gut-brain axis. This analysis suggests that future research should focus on multi-omic, longitudinal studies across diverse populations, particularly examining the gut-brain-muscle axis, to improve understanding of outcomes related to clinical therapy, athletic performance, and disease management.