A monodisciplinary approach to study running performance: a bibliometric analysis

Background: The toolkits of bibliometrics analysis enable the mapping and identification of trends within a given research area. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to identify the evolution of the “running performance” research field, focusing on publication characteristics and trends.  Methods: We conducted a search for original articles, using the “advanced search” feature of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). A predefined search strategy was developed using the PICO strategy. Studies were screened by titles and abstracts. The information was used to map authors, organisations, countries, journals, and authors’ keywords. VOSviewer software (version 1.6.18) was used to construct and visualise bibliometric networks. Results: A total of 324 articles were included, with the publication data ranging from 1983 to 2023, with some variation over time. The United States and Canada presented the strongest influence in this research field, followed by European countries such as England, France, Switzerland, and Spain. The leading journals were the International Journal of Sports Medicine, followed by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.  Temporal trends indicated that the earlier studies primarily focused on physiological tests/variables, while more recent studies have shown a growing interest in biomechanics, pacing, and technology (footwear). Conclusion: North America and European countries present a strong influence in this field of study. Earlier investigations primarily focused on physiological tests/variables, while recent research has focused on diverse topics such as technology (footwear). Researchers interested in this research area should consider adopting a multidisciplinary approach in future studies.