Does sport make people healthier?—A Web of Science-based bibliometric and visualization analysis
Abstract
Whether sports make us healthier is one of the current hot topics in society at large. This study examines the connection between physical and mental health and sports using Thomson Reuters’ Web of ScienceTM Core Collection, using bibliometric methods and CiteSpace visualization technology. This study concludes that sports play a beneficial function in improving our physical and mental well-being, which can effectively relieve stress, improve mood, and enhance the quality of existence, but the key lies in finding the right intensity and amount of exercise to avoid psychological problems caused by overtraining or over-exercise, such as exercise addiction and other similar psychological disorders. At the same time, physical activity helps to enhance our physical fitness by promoting cellular health, including positive effects on the immune system, increased metabolic rate, and increased muscle strength and endurance. In conclusion, sport is a “double-edged sword” for physical and emotional well-being, and it is necessary to precisely regulate the impact of physical activity on both mental and physical health through the use of rational exercise methods, for which this study provides practical suggestions for the promotion of people’s physical fitness and the refinement of sport research.
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