FROM CULTURE TO HEALTH: HOTSPOTS AND TRENDS IN LATIN DANCE RESEARCH BASED ON BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Objective:This study employs a bibliometric approach to systematically examine the research hotspots, evolutionary trajectory, and disciplinary transition of Latin dance studies—from cultural interpretation toward health-oriented applications.

Materials and Methods: Scientific publications related to Latin dance from 2006 to 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The records were exported in BibTeX format and analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R. A comprehensive quantitative analysis was performed, encompassing publication output, citation performance, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution, to construct a knowledge map of the field.

Results: The analysis reveals a staged developmental pattern in Latin dance research, evolving from fragmented exploration to rapid expansion over the past two decades. The United States and the United Kingdom emerged as the primary contributors, while Spain and Brazil served as pivotal hubs in regional collaboration within Latin America. The author collaboration network exhibited a structure characterized by concentrated core groups and dispersed peripheral contributors. Thematic evolution indicates a clear shift from early studies centered on cultural identity and social meaning toward research emphasizing exercise prescription, health intervention, and functional improvement among older adults.

Conclusion: Latin dance research demonstrates a distinct disciplinary migration from cultural inquiry to health application, reflecting growing interdisciplinary integration and translation into public health practice. Future research is expected to further extend into active aging, cross-cultural communication, and health policy implementation, offering new insights and opportunities for both academic advancement and practical application.