Bibliometric analysis of exercise and cancer prognosis research: trends, thematic evolution, and global collaborations (2015-2024).

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and structured exercise are increasingly recognized as modifiable factors that influence cancer prognosis, recurrence risk, and quality of life. Despite rapid growth in this literature, the structure, thematic evolution, and international distribution of research linking exercise to cancer prognosis have not been systematically mapped.

METHODS: We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus on 22 August 2025. Search terms combined exercise/physical activity with cancer prognosis, survival, or recurrence. After deduplication, 3,261 unique English-language articles and reviews (2015-2024) were analyzed using the bibliometrix R package, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace for publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, and citation b ursts.

RESULTS: Annual output nearly doubled, rising from 211 publications in 2015 to 483 in 2024. The United States (n = 850) and China (n = 780) led global production, jointly accounting for approximately 50% of all papers. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five major thematic clusters: clinical rehabilitation and quality-of-life outcomes, biological mechanisms (including muscle physiology and sarcopenia), epidemiology and risk factors, cancer survivorship (emphasizing fatigue and psychosocial domains), and exercise interventions during active treatment. Citation patterns showed heavy reliance on foundational oncology guidelines and reviews from adjacent fields.

CONCLUSIONS: Research on exercise and cancer prognosis has expanded rapidly and consolidated thematically, with growing emphasis on personalized prescriptions and rigorous trial evidence. Output remains concentrated in high-income countries, highlighting the need for broader international collaboration and capacity building to support equitable translation into multidisciplinary cancer care.