Physical activity, depression and elderly population

a bibliometric study

Abstract

Objective: To map the global evolution of scientific production on physical activity and depressive disorders in the elderly (2015–2025) and to uncover structural biases in the literature. Method: A bibliometric analysis of 9,876 documents from SCOPUS was conducted. Data were processed using Rayyan (blind screening), Biblioshiny (trend detection), and VOSviewer (network analysis). A selective filtering strategy was applied to reduce semantic noise and reveal genuine thematic clusters. Results: Scientific output quadrupled in the last decade, with a 47.9% surge during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021), redirecting focus toward clinical trials. Network analysis revealed a critical gender bias: while female health is central to mental health clusters, male mental health appears “invisible,” statistically submerged within cardiovascular disease clusters. Furthermore, a dichotomy was identified between physical interventions (robust clinical trials) and psychosocial outcomes (fragmented by heterogeneous psychometric scales). Conclusion: Although physical activity is consolidated as a non-pharmacological pillar in gerontology, the field suffers from methodological fragmentation. Future research must prioritize longitudinal designs and standardization of assessment tools to overcome the current “data babel.” Additionally, there is an urgent need to address the male aging perspective, moving beyond the treatment of depression merely as a somatic comorbidity.