Dhoni Akbar Ghozali, Enrico Ananda Budiono, Muhana Fawwazy Ilyas, Saiful Hidayat, Ananda Perwira Bakti
The aim of this study was to map the global somatotype research trends using a bibliometric analysis. The method employed a bibliometric analysis of data sourced from the Scopus database, yielding 2,438 relevant studies authored by 7,609 individuals. To analyze these data, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were employed to visualize publication trends, key authors, institutions, journals, and keywords. Key findings include a significant research focus in "Medicine" (39.6%) and "Health Professions" (13.1%), with emerging interdisciplinary opportunities in "Psychology" and "Engineering." Notable research themes include "somatotype components", "BMI", and "body image", with emerging studies focusing on 3D human models and artificial neural networks. Despite these advancements, international collaboration remains limited, mainly among industrialized nations. Additionally, the analysis highlights the critical role of somatotype in sports science for optimizing athlete performance and talent identification. Furthermore, new technologies, such as 3D scanning and machine learning, promise advancements in somatotype assessment. Future research should focus on enhancing validity and reliability by integrating advanced technologies and fostering international collaboration to overcome scientific isolation. In conclusion, somatotype research has significantly evolved, with concentrated efforts in medicine and health professions and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. This study provides valuable insights, emphasizing the need for technological advancements and greater global collaboration. © Copyright 2026: Publication Service of the University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia; Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
