Bibliometric analysis of articles on high intensity training (HIIT) and sleep in the web of science database

Turkish

The relationship between high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sleep has received increasing attention in sports science and health. This study aimed to analyze HIIT and sleep literature using a bibliometric approach to examine publication trends, thematic fields, interdisciplinary structures, and collaboration networks. We analyzed 68 articles published between 2000 and 2025 from the Web of Science database. The findings showed that publication volume peaked in 2019, whereas citation impact intensified in 2020-2023. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed that the literature is centered on exercise physiology, recovery processes, and circadian rhythm effects. Sports Science (23.5%) was the largest contributing discipline, with Clinical Neurology (14.7%) and Public Health (11.8%) as other important fields. The USA, Canada, and Australia were the leading countries, with the University of Milan and Italian researchers, such as Matteo Bonato, making the most prolific contributions. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health hosted the largest number of publications. The discussion highlights knowledge gaps in literature (e.g., the effects of HIIT timing on sleep) and the need for interdisciplinary research. Recommendations include diversifying specific research fields, increasing global collaboration, and developing sleep-focused HIIT programs for sports practitioners. This study provides a comprehensive framework for a better understanding of the relationship between HIIT and sleep quality.