Zahi Andraos; Dopsaj Milivoj; Milic Radoje & Vodicar Janez

SUMMARY: Students enrolled in faculties of sport sciences are regularly exposed to structured physical activity; however, it remains unclear whether similar academic training is associated with comparable body composition profiles across different regions. To compare anthropometric and body composition characteristics across regions separately in male and female sport sciences students. A total of 907 university students (males and females) from faculties of sport sciences in Europe, Non-Europe, and the Middle East were assessed using standardized bioelectrical impedance analysis. Anthropometric variables (height, body mass, BMI) and body composition parameters (body fat mass, percentage body fat, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass index, percent skeletal muscle mass, fat mass index, and muscle–fat index) were analyzed within each sex using one-way ANOVA. Consistent regional patterns were observed in both males and females. Students from the Middle East exhibited higher adiposity-related indicators and lower muscle-related parameters compared with European and Non-European students, while the latter two groups showed largely similar profiles. Differences were more pronounced in body composition variables than in basic anthropometric measures. Percentage body fat demonstrated the greatest regional differentiation, followed by skeletal muscle mass index, whereas BMI showed comparatively limited discriminatory capacity. Morphological variation among sport sciences students is primarily related to tissue composition rather than total body mass. BMI alone may not adequately reflect morphological status in physically educated young adults. Direct body composition indicators, particularly percentage body fat and skeletal muscle mass index, should therefore be prioritized when evaluating and comparing physically active young adult populations.

ANDRAOS, Z.; DOPSAJ, M.; MILIC, R. & VODICAR, J. Anthropometric and body composition profiles of European, non-European, and Middle Eastern sport sciences students. Int. J. Morphol., 44(4):1296-1303, 2026.