Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (10): 2653-2661.doi: 10.12307/2026.628

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Analysis of thematic evolution pathways in the field of physical activity and neurogenesis

Jiao Jingya1, Zhang Yeting2    

  1. 1Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China; 2Aviation Safety and Security College, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, Sichuan Province, China
  • Received:2025-03-27 Accepted:2025-06-17 Online:2026-04-08 Published:2025-09-01
  • Contact: Zhang Yeting, PhD, Associate professor, Aviation Safety and Security College, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, Sichuan Province, China
  • About author:Jiao Jingya, MS, Lecturer, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department, No. 2020YFH0184 (to ZYT); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, No. PHD2023-003 (to ZYT)

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Neurogenesis is the ability of neural stem cells, or neural progenitors, to generate new nerve cell types. Exercise has been shown to promote neurogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. In recent years, research on the relationship between physical activity and neurogenesis has been increasing, with evolving research hotspots and trends in this field. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the dynamic evolution of research topics in the field of physical activity and neurogenesis using bibliometric methods, and to clarify its developmental status and changes in knowledge structure, thereby providing guidance for future research directions.
METHODS: Based on the Web of Science Core Collection database, the search strategy for the topic terms was defined as: TS=(“physical exercise” AND neurogenesis) OR TS=(“physical activity” AND neurogenesis) OR TS=(“exercise” AND neurogenesis), with the document types limited to (Article OR Review). Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2 469 relevant documents were selected as the research dataset, and SciMAT software was employed for visualization analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The field of “physical activity and neurogenesis” can be categorized into seven major evolutionary directions: “progenitor cells,” “neurotrophic factors,” “dementia,” “neural progenitor cells,” “neural precursor cells,” “exercise interventions,” and “antioxidants,” which collectively form 25 sub-evolutionary pathways. Topics such as “enriched environment,” “neurotrophic factors,” and “cognitive function” are likely to become future research focuses. This field primarily targets populations such as older adults, children, and adolescents, with a specific emphasis on diseases like dementia. Moreover, exploring the molecular biological mechanisms through which physical activity promotes neurogenesis has significantly advanced research in this field.


Key words: physical activity, exercise intervention, neurogenesis, bibliometrics, research hotspots, SciMAT

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