Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of 2011–2020 Publications on Physical Activity Therapy for Diabetes

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the global emerging trends of physical activity therapy for diabetes based on a bibliometric analysis of the publications. METHODS: Publication papers from 2011 to 2020 were retrieved from the database of “Web of Science Core Collection” with the topic search. A number of papers, citations, authors, countries, institutions, and references were extracted. CiteSpace was used to analyze co-citation on authors, collaborations between countries and institutions, and detect the emerging trends of burst keywords and references. RESULTS: A total of 2651 publications were recruited in this study and showed an upward trend of annual publications. Diabetes obesity & metabolism (journal), the United States (country), Harvard University (institution), and Kaku K (author) published the most papers in this research field. “Impaired glucose tolerance” (2011–2012) was the highest strength burst keyword, while “cardiovascular outcome” (2017–2020) was the most burst keyword in the last 5 years. Moreover, “Standards of medical care in diabetes – 2014” was the strongest burst reference. CONCLUSION: “Physical activity therapy for diabetes” has been accepted remarkably over the last 10 years. The keywords of “impaired glucose tolerance,” “Cardiovascular outcome,” “improves glycemic control,” “Self-management,” and exercise type including “Aerobic exercise, muscle strength” may be the latest research frontiers.