Relationship between Body Composition and Fitness Performance among Malaysian Student-Athletes

This study investigates the relationship between body composition and fitness performance among student-athletes at Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed, involving 94 student-athletes (57 males and 37 females) from various sports disciplines. Body composition parameters including body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed alongside physical performance components such as speed (30-meter sprint), muscular strength (grip strength), balance (Stork test), agility (T-test), flexibility (Sit-and-Reach), explosive power (vertical jump), and cardiovascular endurance (VO₂ max). The results revealed significant relationships between body composition and performance metrics. Muscle mass was positively correlated with grip strength (r = 0.873, p < 0.01), vertical jump height (r = 0.599, p < 0.01), and agility (r = -0.584, p < 0.01), highlighting its importance in athletic performance. In contrast, body fat percentage was negatively associated with VO₂ max (r = -0.528, p < 0.01), explosive power (r = -0.703, p < 0.01), and sprint speed (r = 0.812, p < 0.01), indicating a detrimental effect on performance. These findings underscore the critical role of optimizing body composition, specifically by increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat, for improving athletic performance. The study offers valuable insights for coaches, trainers, and sports scientists in designing evidence-based training and nutritional interventions while also contributing to the limited body of research on university student-athletes in Malaysia.