Is research on aging and physical activity really increasing? A bibliometric analysis

In Light of the dramatic increase in the older adult population, we analyze d publications on aging and physical activity during the last 3 decades, ba sed on (a) the ratio of the number of publications on aging to the total nu mber of publications and the ratios of (b) the total number of publications on physical activity and aging and (c) the number of such publications in 6 selected journals to the number of publications on physical activity in g eneral. Our findings indicate that few changes have occurred during the las t 3 decades with regard to the volume of publication on aging and physical activity. Two conclusions can be reached: (a) The interest of researchers i n exercise and sport sciences does not reflect that of society at large con cerning older adults, and (b) an in-depth analysis should be conducted to s tudy the periodicals that are published not only in the area of exercise an d sport sciences but also in other related areas such as medicine, psycholo gy, and health.