Interdisciplinary Research on DanceSport and Sports Biomechanics: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on the Web of Science Core Collection

Abstract

Objective: This study employs bibliometric methods to systematically examine the scholarly development, research trends, collaboration networks, and topic evolution at the intersection of DanceSport and sports biomechanics, providing an evidence base for future research. Methods: Using the Web of Science Core Collection, 330 publications from 1979 to 2025 were retrieved and analyzed with the Bibliometrix R package. Indicators covered annual output, co-authorship and institutional collaboration networks, national contributions, highly cited documents, keywords, and topic evolution. Results: Publication output increased steadily, with the United States and Europe leading in volume and impact while Asia-Pacific contributions rose progressively. Collaboration became more polycentric, though global collaboration remained uneven. Keyword and thematic analyses suggested a shift from movement modeling and muscle activation toward rehabilitation- and health-related themes, while highly cited papers remained centered on gait analysis and movement modeling. Conclusion: Research linking DanceSport and sports biomechanics has become increasingly interdisciplinary, with the literature broadening from technique-focused biomechanical description toward rehabilitation- and health-related themes. Future progress will depend on stronger cross-regional collaboration, deeper multidisciplinary integration, and further empirical research.