Global research trends on exercise and circadian rhythm: A bibliometric analysis

Recent advancements in the field of exercise and circadian rhythms have brought attention to the potential for tailored exercise strategies based on individual biological rhythms, aiming to optimize both health and performance, yet there is a lack of bibliometric analysis within this specific area of research. This study seeks to provide an extensive insight into the knowledge structure and primary research focuses on the correlation between exercise and circadian rhythms using bibliometric analysis. Publications pertinent to exercise and circadian rhythms were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Utilizing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "bibliometrix," a thorough bibliometric analysis was conducted. The analysis encompassed publications from 83 countries and 2025 institutions focusing on exercise and circadian rhythms. Leading contributors included the USA, England, France, Japan, and Germany, with an increasing number of publications annually. Notable institutions like Liverpool John Moores University, Univ Sfax, Brigham Women's Hosp, and Univ Milan ranked among the top contributors. Chronobiology International emerged as the most popular journal in this domain. These publications were attributed to 4402 authors, with Thomas Reilly and Greg Atkinson receiving the most citations, particularly Reilly being the most co-cited author. Dominant research topics included circadian rhythm, quality, skeletal muscle, and entrainment, while emerging hotspots comprised sports performance, mental health validity, older adults, and the sleep-wake cycle. This study marks the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis summarizing research trends and developments in exercise and circadian rhythms. This collection pinpoints the latest research frontiers and promising avenues, acting as a valuable resource for researchers investigating the connection between exercise and circadian rhythms.