Mapping research trends and knowledge structures of rhythmic gymnastics in early childhood gross motor development: A scopus-based bibliometric analysis (2015–2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58524/jasme.v6i2.1353Keywords:
Bibliometric Analysis, Early Childhood, Gross Motor Development, Rhythmic Gymnastics, ScopusAbstract
Background: Research on rhythmic gymnastics and its contribution to early childhood gross motor development has grown considerably over the past decade. However, the scientific landscape, research trends, and knowledge structures within this field remain insufficiently explored.
Aim: This study aimed to map research trends and knowledge structures related to rhythmic gymnastics in early childhood gross motor development through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications.
Methods: A systematic literature review with a bibliometric approach was conducted using the Scopus database. A total of 49 eligible articles published between 2015 and 2024 were analyzed. Bibliometric mapping and visualization were performed using VOSviewer, while descriptive analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel.
Results: The findings revealed an increasing publication trend, reaching its highest peak in 2022. Keyword analysis identified strong associations between rhythmic gymnastics and motor skills, motor performance, muscle strength, training, and physical education. Tartu Ülikool emerged as the most productive institutional contributor, while Italy and Spain were the leading countries in publication output. Subject-area analysis showed that medicine and health professions accounted for more than two-thirds of the publications, highlighting the predominance of health-oriented perspectives in this field.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the growing scientific interest in rhythmic gymnastics as a promising intervention for enhancing early childhood gross motor development. This study provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, educators, and practitioners in developing evidence-based and developmentally appropriate movement programs.
References
Abusleme-Allimant, R., Hurtado-Almonacid, J., Reyes-Amigo, T., Yáñez-Sepúlveda, R., Cortés-Roco, G., Arroyo-Jofré, P., & Páez-Herrera, J. (2023). Effects of structured and unstructured physical activity on gross motor skills in preschool students to promote sustainability in the physical education classroom. Sustainability, 15(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310167
Adatul'aisy, R., Puspita, A., Abelia, N., Apriliani, R., & Noviani, D. (2023). Perkembangan kognitif dan motorik anak usia dini melalui pendekatan pembelajaran. Khirani: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 1(4), 82–93. https://doi.org/10.47861/khirani.v1i4.631
Almeida, L., Dias, T., Corte-Real, N., Menezes, I., & Fonseca, A. (2025). Positive youth development through sport and physical education: A systematic review of empirical research conducted with grade 5 to 12 children and youth. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 30(3), 282–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2023.2230208
Balili, C., Lee, U., Segev, A., Kim, J., & Ko, M. (2020). TermBall: Tracking and predicting evolution types of research topics by using knowledge structures in scholarly big data. IEEE Access, 8, 108514–108529. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3000948
Barnett, L. M., Webster, E. K., Hulteen, R. M., De Meester, A., Valentini, N. C., Lenoir, M., Pesce, C., Getchell, N., Lopes, V. P., Robinson, L. E., Brian, A., & Rodrigues, L. P. (2022). Through the looking glass: A systematic review of longitudinal evidence, providing new insight for motor competence and health. Sports Medicine, 52(4), 875–920. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01516-8
Blewitt, C., O'Connor, A., Morris, H., Nolan, A., Mousa, A., Green, R., Ifanti, A., Jackson, K., & Skouteris, H. (2021). “It’s embedded in what we do for every child”: A qualitative exploration of early childhood educators’ perspectives on supporting children’s social and emotional learning. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041530
Bolger, L. E., Bolger, L. A., O'Neill, C., Coughlan, E., O'Brien, W., Lacey, S., Burns, C., & Bardid, F. (2021). Global levels of fundamental motor skills in children: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(7), 717–753. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1841405
Bretz, K., Kress, J., & Herrmann, C. (2026). The interplay of actual and perceived motor competencies, physical activity and well-being: A child-centered approach. BMC Public Health, 26(1), 1464. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27094-w
Camerota, M., & Willoughby, M. T. (2021). Applying interdisciplinary frameworks to study prenatal influences on child development. Child Development Perspectives, 15(1), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12395
Capio, C. M., Mendoza, N. B., Jones, R. A., Masters, R. S. W., & Lee, K. (2024). The contributions of motor skill proficiency to cognitive and social development in early childhood. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 27956. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79538-1
Cassidy, J. M., & Willoughby, M. T. (2025). Toward a mechanistic understanding of the association between motor and executive function skill development in early childhood. Child Development Perspectives, 19(1), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12520
Chen, F., Sun, Y., Wang, L., Wang, N., Zhao, H., & Yu, B. (2024). HRTBDA: A network for post-disaster building damage assessment based on remote sensing images. International Journal of Digital Earth, 17(1), 2418880. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2024.2418880
Çolak, Y., Gür, F., & Ayan, V. (2024). Examining the impact of sports and physical activities on basic motor skills in primary school children. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 12(4), 437–443. https://doi.org/10.14486/IntJSCS.2024.726
Crotti, M., Rudd, J., Roberts, S., Davies, K. F., O'Callaghan, L., Utesch, T., & Foweather, L. (2022). Physical activity promoting teaching practices and children’s physical activity within physical education lessons underpinned by motor learning theory (SAMPLE-PE). PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272339. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272339
Cycyk, L. M., & Hammer, C. S. (2020). Beliefs, values, and practices of Mexican immigrant families towards language and learning in toddlerhood: Setting the foundation for early childhood education. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 52, 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.09.009
Dapp, L. C., Gashaj, V., & Roebers, C. M. (2021). Physical activity and motor skills in children: A differentiated approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 54, 101916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101916
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
Ellemers, N. (2021). Science as collaborative knowledge generation. British Journal of Social Psychology, 60(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12430
Faienza, M. F., Urbano, F., Chiarito, M., Lassandro, G., & Giordano, P. (2023). Musculoskeletal health in children and adolescents. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1226524
Fu, T., Zhang, D., Wang, W., Geng, H., Lv, Y., Shen, R., & Bu, T. (2022). Functional training focused on motor development enhances gross motor, physical fitness, and sensory integration in 5–6-year-old healthy Chinese children. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.936799
Fu, Y. C., Marques, M., Tseng, Y.-H., Powell, J. J. W., & Baker, D. P. (2022). An evolving international research collaboration network: Spatial and thematic developments in co-authored higher education research, 1998–2018. Scientometrics, 127(3), 1403–1429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-04200-w
Gao, Z., Wen, X., Fu, Y., Lee, J. E., & Zeng, N. (2021). Motor skill competence matters in promoting physical activity and health. BioMed Research International, 2021, 9786368. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9786368
Gaspari, V., Bogdanis, G. C., Panidi, I., Konrad, A., Terzis, G., Donti, A., & Donti, O. (2024). The importance of physical fitness parameters in rhythmic gymnastics: A scoping review. Sports, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12090248
Gleason, B. H., Suchomel, T. J., Pyne, D. B., Comfort, P., McMahon, E., Hornsby, W. G., Lis, R. P., & Stone, M. H. (2024). Development pathways for the sport scientist: A process for the United States. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 46(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000804
Goodyear, V. A., Skinner, B., McKeever, J., & Griffiths, M. (2023). The influence of online physical activity interventions on children and young people’s engagement with physical activity: A systematic review. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 28(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1953459
Han, X. (2020). Evolution of research topics in LIS between 1996 and 2019: An analysis based on latent Dirichlet allocation topic model. Scientometrics, 125(3), 2561–2595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03721-0
Hernández-González, V., Carné-Torrent, J. M., Jové-Deltell, C., & Reverter-Masia, J. (2025). Global research trends on physical education practices: A bibliometric analysis and science-mapping study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1532754
Hernández-Torrano, D., Ibrayeva, L., Sparks, J., Lim, N., Clementi, A., Almukhambetova, A., Nurtayev, Y., & Muratkyzy, A. (2020). Mental health and well-being of university students: A bibliometric mapping of the literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01226
Jeong, J., Bliznashka, L., Sullivan, E., Hentschel, E., Jeon, Y., Strong, K. L., & Daelmans, B. (2022). Measurement tools and indicators for assessing nurturing care for early childhood development: A scoping review. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(4), e0000373. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000373
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E. L., & Azevedo, L. B. (2020). Association between fundamental motor skills and physical activity in the early years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(6), 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.03.001
Klarin, A. (2024). How to conduct a bibliometric content analysis: Guidelines and contributions of content co-occurrence or co-word literature reviews. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 48(2), e13031. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.13031
Kumar, R. (2025). Bibliometric analysis: Comprehensive insights into tools, techniques, applications, and solutions for research excellence. Spectrum of Engineering and Management Sciences, 3(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.31181/sems31202535k
Liu, T., Wassell, N., Liu, J., & Zhang, M. (2022). Mapping research trends of adapted sport from 2001 to 2020: A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912644
Lorås, H. (2020). The effects of physical education on motor competence in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8060088
Ma, L., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Li, N., Fung, S.-F., Zhang, L., & Zheng, Q. (2021). The hotspots of sports science and the effects of knowledge network on scientific performance based on bibliometrics and social network analysis. Complexity, 2021, 9981202. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9981202
Ma, Y., Liu, M., Liu, Y., Liu, D., & Hou, M. (2024). Exploring physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities: A bibliometric review of current status, guidelines, perceived barriers, and facilitators and future directions. Healthcare, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090934
Mandroukas, A., Metaxas, I., Michailidis, Y., & Metaxas, T. (2023). Muscle strength and joint range of motion of the spine and lower extremities in female prepubertal elite rhythmic and artistic gymnasts. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8040153
Marginson, S. (2022). Global science and national comparisons: Beyond bibliometrics and scientometrics. Comparative Education, 58(2), 125–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050068.2021.1981725
Martinez-Merino, N., & Rico-González, M. (2024). Effects of physical education on preschool children’s physical activity levels and motor, cognitive, and social competences: A systematic review. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 43(4), 696–706. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2023-0183
McDonough, D. J., Liu, W., & Gao, Z. (2020). Effects of physical activity on children’s motor skill development: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BioMed Research International, 2020, 8160756. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8160756
Milas, M., Milenković, E., Milčić, L., & Radaš, J. (2026). Comparative analysis of injury profiles in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Research in Sports Medicine, 34(2), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2025.2528860
Mödinger, M., Woll, A., & Wagner, I. (2022). Video-based visual feedback to enhance motor learning in physical education: A systematic review. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 52(3), 447–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-021-00782-y
Molina-Garcia, P., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Migueles, J. H., Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Esteban-Cornejo, I., Cadenas-Sanchez, C., Plaza-Florido, A., Gil-Cosano, J. J., Pelaez-Perez, M. A., Garcia-Delgado, G., Vanrenterghem, J., & Ortega, F. B. (2020). Effects of exercise on body posture, functional movement, and physical fitness in children with overweight/obesity. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(8), 2146. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003655
Moon, J., Webster, C. A., Stodden, D. F., Brian, A., Mulvey, K. L., Beets, M., Egan, C. A., McIntosh, L. I. F., Merica, C. B., & Russ, L. (2024). Systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity interventions to increase elementary children’s motor competence: A comprehensive school physical activity program perspective. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 826. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18145-1
Muller, J. (2023). Powerful knowledge, disciplinary knowledge, curriculum knowledge: Educational knowledge in question. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 32(1), 20–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2022.2058349
O'Connor, J., & Penney, D. (2021). Informal sport and curriculum futures: An investigation of the knowledge, skills and understandings for participation and the possibilities for physical education. European Physical Education Review, 27(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X20915937
Oliveira, L. de, Costa, V. R., Antualpa, K. F., & Nunomura, M. (2021). Body and performance in rhythmic gymnastics: Science or belief? Science of Gymnastics Journal, 13(3), 311–321. https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.13.3.311-321
Ortega, J. L. (2021). How do media mention research papers? Structural analysis of blogs and news networks using citation coupling. Journal of Informetrics, 15(3), 101175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2021.101175
Panda, M., Rizvi, M. R., Sharma, A., Sethi, P., Ahmad, I., & Kumari, S. (2022). Effect of electromyostimulation and plyometrics training on sports-specific parameters in badminton players. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 4(4), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2022.08.002
Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: The main steps. Encyclopedia, 4(2), 1014–1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065
Pérez-Gutiérrez, M., Castanedo-Alonso, J. M., Salceda-Mesa, M., & Cobo-Corrales, C. (2023). Scientific production on inclusive education and physical education: A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 27(14), 1679–1695. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1916103
Quan, S., Liao, Y., Ji, Y., & Zheng, S. (2024). Structured training on gross motor skills and physical fitness in 4–5-year-old children. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1466911
Requejo, J., Strong, K., Agweyu, A., Billah, S. M., Boschi-Pinto, C., Horiuchi, S., Jamaluddine, Z., Lazzerini, M., Maiga, A., McKerrow, N., Munos, M., Park, L., Schellenberg, J., & Weigel, R. (2022). Measuring and monitoring child health and wellbeing: Recommendations for tracking progress with a core set of indicators in the Sustainable Development Goals era. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(5), 345–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00039-6
Salaj, S., & Masnjak, M. (2022). Correlation of motor competence and social-emotional wellbeing in preschool children. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.846520
Sawitri, Y., & Pujiati, D. (2023). The influence of Gemu Famire gymnastics on early childhood’s rhythmic movement ability in Kampong Bharu Guidance Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. JURNAL INDRIA (Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Prasekolah Dan Sekolah Awal), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.24269/jin.v8i1.6517
Schiuma, G., Kumar, S., Sureka, R., & Joshi, R. (2023). Research constituents and authorship patterns in the Knowledge Management Research and Practice: A bibliometric analysis. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 21(1), 129–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2020.1848365
Shen, L., & Yang, W. (2025). The intervention of music education on adolescents’ subjective well-being from the perspective of sustainable development: A bibliometric review based on literature from 2000 to 2024. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1617097
Silva, A. F. (2025). Evaluating motor competence in children and youth: A narrative review. Human Movement, 26(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm/199533
Simamora, A. N., Sigalingging, G. P., Naipospos, Y. A., Situmorang, F., & Siregar, F. S. (2024). Pengaruh senam irama terhadap perkembangan motorik anak. Harmoni Pendidikan: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 1(3), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.62383/hardik.v1i3.443
Skopal, L., Netto, K., Aisbett, B., Takla, A., & Castricum, T. (2020). The effect of a rhythmic gymnastics-based power-flexibility program on the lower limb flexibility and power of contemporary dancers. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 15(3), 343–364. https://doi.org/10.26603/ijspt20200343
Taylor, M. (2023). Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow: Five altmetric sources observed over a decade show evolving trends, by research age, attention source maturity and open access status. Scientometrics, 128(4), 2175–2200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-023-04653-1
Urbano-Mairena, J., Castillo-Paredes, A., Muñoz-Bermejo, L., Denche-Zamorano, Á., Rojo-Ramos, J., Pastor-Cisneros, R., & Mendoza-Muñoz, M. (2023). A bibliometric analysis of physical literacy studies in relation to health of children and adolescents. Children, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040660
Valla, L., Slinning, K., Kalleson, R., Wentzel-Larsen, T., & Riiser, K. (2020). Motor skills and later communication development in early childhood: Results from a population-based study. Child: Care, Health and Development, 46(4), 407–413. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12765
van der Veer, I. P. A., Verbecque, E., Rameckers, E. A. A., Bastiaenen, C. H. G., & Klingels, K. (2022). How can instructions and feedback with external focus be shaped to enhance motor learning in children? A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0264873. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264873
Veldman, S. L. C., Chin A Paw, M. J. M., & Altenburg, T. M. (2021). Physical activity and prospective associations with indicators of health and development in children aged <5 years: A systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01072-w
Visser, E. L., Mazzoli, E., Hinkley, T., Lander, N. J., Utesch, T., & Barnett, L. M. (2020). Are children with higher self-reported wellbeing and perceived motor competence more physically active? A longitudinal study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(3), 270–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.09.005
Wang, J.-W., Qu, S., Zhu, Z.-C., Zhao, X., Song, W.-J., Li, X., Chen, W.-D., & Luo, D.-M. (2023). Global hotspots and trends in research on preschool children’s motor development from 2012 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118674
Wang, X., Xu, K., Xu, Z., Yu, X., & Yan, J. (2026). Physical education’s role in enhancing fitness among children and adolescents: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 19, 551609. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S551609
Willoughby, M. T., & Hudson, K. (2023). Contributions of motor skill development and physical activity to the ontogeny of executive function skills in early childhood. Developmental Review, 70, 101102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2023.101102
Witherspoon, D. P., White, R. M. B., Bámaca, M. Y., Browning, C. R., Leech, T. G. J., Leventhal, T., Matthews, S. A., Pinchak, N., Roy, A. L., Sugie, N., & Winkler, E. N. (2023). Place-based developmental research: Conceptual and methodological advances in studying youth development in context. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 88(3), 7–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12472
Yu, Q., Pan, X., Liu, Z., & Deng, C. (2025). Effect of gymnastics on balance ability in children aged three to six years. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1549741
Zhou, Y., Shao, W. D., & Wang, L. (2021). Effects of feedback on students’ motor skill learning in physical education: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126281
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Lusi Angelia, Imam Muthie, Lucy Oktavani, Sri Gusti Handayani, Tisna Syafnita
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
