Exergaming and Cognitive Function Research: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace.

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Title: Exergaming and Cognitive Function Research: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace.
Authors: Li, Yang1 (AUTHOR), Han, Qifeng1 (AUTHOR), Kim, Sung Min1 (AUTHOR) minarthur@hanyang.ac.kr
Source: Inquiry (00469580). 6/11/2026, Vol. 63, p1-22. 22p.
Subject Terms: *Exercise physiology, *Motor ability, *Cognitive testing, *Computer software, *Exercise, *Interprofessional relations, *Brain, *Citation analysis, *Authorship, *Bibliographical citations, *Bibliometrics, *Memory, *Bibliography, *Interdisciplinary research, *Video games, *Thought & thinking, Serial publications, Psychiatry, Therapeutics, Medical informatics, Exercise video games, Digital health, Executive function, Neuroplasticity, Neurosciences, Descriptive statistics, Institutional cooperation, Virtual reality, Body movement, Reaction time, Physical activity, Postural balance, Physical mobility, Cognitive rehabilitation
Abstract: Globally, with the increasing emphasis on cognitive health, exergames gains significant academic attention due to their unique potential for enhancing cognitive function. This study used CiteSpace 6.3R2 to conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis to elucidate research progress and emerging trends in this interdisciplinary field. A comprehensive literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection focused on exergaming and cognitive function. After screening, 545 relevant publications were imported into CiteSpace6.3R2 for bibliometric analysis, generating visual maps of keywords, authors, institutions, and other key indicators. Publications on exergames and cognitive function show a steady upward trend, indicating growing academic interest in this interdisciplinary field. The Games for Health Journal produced the highest number of publications, underscoring its central role. The United States leads in collaborative output, followed by China and Switzerland, with ETH Zürich as the most collaborative institution. Among researchers, de Bruin, is the most prolific. PLOS ONE is the most frequently co-cited journal, while Anderson-Hanley (2013) is the most highly cited reference. High-frequency keywords include physical activity, exergames and physical exercise, with emerging terms such as "exergame intervention," "balance training," and "mild neurocognitive disorder." Research on exergames and cognitive function has emerged as a key interdisciplinary hotspot, encompassing exercise science, neuroscience, and digital health. A bibliometric analysis indicates that related studies are primarily published in a range of specialized journals. Within the collaboration network, developed countries dominate, whereas at the author level, collaboration patterns remain mostly within institutions, suggesting that cross-institutional cooperation needs to be strengthened. Future research could focus on the design and mechanisms of exergame intervention programs and personalized interventions tailored to specific populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Inquiry (00469580) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Exergaming and Cognitive Function Research: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace.
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  Label: Authors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Yang%22">Li, Yang</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Han%2C+Qifeng%22">Han, Qifeng</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kim%2C+Sung+Min%22">Kim, Sung Min</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> minarthur@hanyang.ac.kr</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Inquiry+%2800469580%29%22">Inquiry (00469580)</searchLink>. 6/11/2026, Vol. 63, p1-22. 22p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exercise+physiology%22">Exercise physiology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Motor+ability%22">Motor ability</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+testing%22">Cognitive testing</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+software%22">Computer software</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exercise%22">Exercise</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interprofessional+relations%22">Interprofessional relations</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brain%22">Brain</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Citation+analysis%22">Citation analysis</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Authorship%22">Authorship</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliographical+citations%22">Bibliographical citations</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliometrics%22">Bibliometrics</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Memory%22">Memory</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliography%22">Bibliography</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interdisciplinary+research%22">Interdisciplinary research</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+games%22">Video games</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thought+%26+thinking%22">Thought & thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Serial+publications%22">Serial publications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychiatry%22">Psychiatry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Therapeutics%22">Therapeutics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medical+informatics%22">Medical informatics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exercise+video+games%22">Exercise video games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+health%22">Digital health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Executive+function%22">Executive function</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neuroplasticity%22">Neuroplasticity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neurosciences%22">Neurosciences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Descriptive+statistics%22">Descriptive statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+cooperation%22">Institutional cooperation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Virtual+reality%22">Virtual reality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Body+movement%22">Body movement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reaction+time%22">Reaction time</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+activity%22">Physical activity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Postural+balance%22">Postural balance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+mobility%22">Physical mobility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+rehabilitation%22">Cognitive rehabilitation</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Globally, with the increasing emphasis on cognitive health, exergames gains significant academic attention due to their unique potential for enhancing cognitive function. This study used CiteSpace 6.3R2 to conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis to elucidate research progress and emerging trends in this interdisciplinary field. A comprehensive literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection focused on exergaming and cognitive function. After screening, 545 relevant publications were imported into CiteSpace6.3R2 for bibliometric analysis, generating visual maps of keywords, authors, institutions, and other key indicators. Publications on exergames and cognitive function show a steady upward trend, indicating growing academic interest in this interdisciplinary field. The Games for Health Journal produced the highest number of publications, underscoring its central role. The United States leads in collaborative output, followed by China and Switzerland, with ETH Zürich as the most collaborative institution. Among researchers, de Bruin, is the most prolific. PLOS ONE is the most frequently co-cited journal, while Anderson-Hanley (2013) is the most highly cited reference. High-frequency keywords include physical activity, exergames and physical exercise, with emerging terms such as "exergame intervention," "balance training," and "mild neurocognitive disorder." Research on exergames and cognitive function has emerged as a key interdisciplinary hotspot, encompassing exercise science, neuroscience, and digital health. A bibliometric analysis indicates that related studies are primarily published in a range of specialized journals. Within the collaboration network, developed countries dominate, whereas at the author level, collaboration patterns remain mostly within institutions, suggesting that cross-institutional cooperation needs to be strengthened. Future research could focus on the design and mechanisms of exergame intervention programs and personalized interventions tailored to specific populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Inquiry (00469580) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/00469580261432417
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Exercise physiology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Motor ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive testing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Exercise
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interprofessional relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Brain
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Citation analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Authorship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bibliographical citations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bibliometrics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Memory
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bibliography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interdisciplinary research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Video games
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thought & thinking
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Serial publications
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychiatry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Therapeutics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medical informatics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Exercise video games
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Executive function
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neuroplasticity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neurosciences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional cooperation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Virtual reality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Body movement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reaction time
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Physical activity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Postural balance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Physical mobility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive rehabilitation
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exergaming and Cognitive Function Research: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace.
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            NameFull: Li, Yang
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            NameFull: Han, Qifeng
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              M: 06
              Text: 6/11/2026
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              Y: 2026
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