Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part I (2025)

This study investigates the relationship between body composition and performance metrics in track and field athletes, focusing on the role of fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and segmental lean mass distribution across different event groups. A total of 120 athletes specializing in sprint/hurdles, jumps, throws, and middle-/long-distance events participated in the study. The body composition of each athlete was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and performance metrics, including sprint times, jump heights, shot put distances, and long-distance race times, were recorded. Descriptive statistics revealed significant differences in body composition and performance between the event groups. Sprinters and jumpers exhibited lower fat mass and higher lean mass in the lower limbs, which were positively correlated with faster sprint times and higher jump heights. Throwers, on the other hand, demonstrated higher upper-body lean mass and fat mass, which correlated with improved throwing distances. Middle- and long-distance runners showed that lower fat mass and higher fat-free mass index (FFMI) were associated with better race times and running economy. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that body composition variables, particularly fat-free mass and fat mass, independently predicted performance outcomes within each event group, even after adjusting for age, sex, training age, and training volume. The study highlights the event-specific body composition profiles that are essential for optimizing athletic performance. The findings underscore the importance of personalized body composition management strategies for track and field athletes and suggest that coaches and athletes should tailor training, nutrition, and recovery protocols to meet body composition goals specific to their event.