The effect of physical activity on body composition: a study of athletic and non-athletic students

Abstract

This study analyzes the influence of physical activity on body composition among students - a group particularly susceptible to sedentary behavior. As health problems related to physical inactivity continue to rise globally, this study highlights the benefits of an active lifestyle for physical and metabolic health. By comparing athletic and non-athletic students, it improves understanding of how physical activity affects body parameters and offers important insights for public health initiatives and educational programs. The research is based on the hypothesis that athletic students possess healthier body composition and higher metabolic activity than their non-athletic peers. The research methods used included analysis of specialized literature, statistical–mathematical techniques, graphical representation, and tabular presentation. Data processing was performed using JASP software, a statistical analysis tool with a user-friendly interface that facilitates advanced statistical analyses and data visualization. The study involved 16 female and 32 male athletic students (registered with sports clubs) and 16 female and 17 male non-athletic students (not participating in organized sports) enrolled in undergraduate programs at the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania, Pitești University Center, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics. The athletic female and male students maintained stable body weight, while non-athletic students experienced significant weight gains, especially among females. Male athletes preserved lean body mass, with female athletes showing a slight increase, whereas non-athletic students had no significant changes. Female athletes exhibited a clear reduction in body fat, highlighting the benefits of physical activity, while non-athletic students showed no significant fat changes. Physical activity appears to limit body fat accumulation and promote metabolic health. Additionally, non-athletic students, particularly females, showed a significant decrease in hydration levels, indicating a possible decline in overall health. Athletic students maintained more stable body weight than non-athletic peers, demonstrating that physical activity prevents weight gain. Participation in sports preserved muscle mass, while inactivity among non-athletic students contributed to its decline. Those involved in organized sports experienced greater body stability by retaining muscle mass and avoiding fat gain. In contrast, non-active students showed increased fat accumulation and muscle loss, confirming that physical inactivity adversely affects overall health.