A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Aging and Leisure Activities from 2000 to 2023.

Abstract

Background: Physical and leisure activities are vital for active aging. Leisure activities among the aging population have received attention from scholars in the recent past. However, the research contributions and trends in this field are unknown. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the scholarly contributions in aging and leisure activities to identify the research output trends, assess thematic focuses, and analyze research collaboration patterns.

Methods: We extracted data from the Scopus database for the period 2000-2023 and identified 443 articles focusing on aging and leisure activities. Tools, such as bibliographical coupling networks and thematic analysis, were applied using R and Biblioshiny to uncover core themes and connections.

Results: There has been a significant increase in research output since 2021, with contributions from numerous authors and countries, particularly the United States and China. Thematic analysis reveals central themes, such as physical activity, successful aging, and cognition.

Conclusion: This analysis reveals the evolving nature of scholarly discussions in aging and leisure, highlighting key themes, such as physical activity, cognitive aging, and health promotion. The findings emphasize the growing interest and global collaboration in this interdisciplinary research domain.