Exercise modalities in older adults with hypertension: a bibliometric mapping of research on strength, endurance, and balance for cardiovascular health

The confluence of global population aging and the high prevalence of hypertension necessitates effective strategies to preserve physical function and cardiovascular health in older adults. This bibliometric study maps the research landscape on exercise modalities for improving strength, endurance, and balance in this population, with a specific focus on implications for hypertension management. A comprehensive search of the Scopus database on June 18, 2025, identified 579 relevant publications. Using bibliometrix and VOSviewer, we analyzed publication trends, citation networks, and thematic clusters. Results show substantial growth in scientific output since 1990, accelerating after 2008, with foundational works emphasizing protein-exercise synergy, gait, and fall prevention. Thematic analysis revealed five core domains: aging health, rehabilitation, frailty management, fall prevention training, and fitness assessment. Emerging trends highlight aqua fitness, multimodal exercise, and mobility. Critically, the analysis identifies significant gaps, including the underrepresentation of hypertension-specific outcomes, agility training, home-based programs, and psychological factors within the dominant research themes. This study concludes that while the field is robust and evolving, future research must explicitly bridge the gap between exercise science for physical function and cardiovascular health outcomes. The findings provide a strategic roadmap for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to develop integrated exercise prescriptions that concurrently combat physical decline and manage cardiovascular risk in the aging population.