Motor Capabilities and Body Composition in Health vs. Non-Health University Students: A Pilot Study

Motor skills in students can be developed or improved through regular physical activity such as walking in nature, Nordic walking, hiking, cycling and swimming. This study aimed to examine the relationship between motor skills and various anthropometric and health-related factors, and to appraise any differences in motor performance and body mass index (BMI) on a sample of university students from Croatia. A total of 122 students (73 of them in health programs and 49 in non-health programs) aged 18 to 44 years participated in the study. Motor abilities were evaluated using standardized motor tests, while body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis, which measured fat tissue, muscle and bone mass, metabolic age, degree of obesity, total body water, and BMI. While the groups were similar in terms of BMI and weight, students in non-health-related study programs had significantly higher values across a wide array of detailed body composition measures, particularly related to fat and muscle mass. Significant negative correlations were observed between body fat percentage and trunk lift performance (r = -0.55, p < 0.01), as well as between metabolic age and trunk lift performance (r = -0.44, p < 0.01) in health students. In non-health students, the strongest negative correlation was found between body fat percentage and flexibility (r = -0.47, p < 0.01). Higher muscle mass was a positive predictor of motor performance while higher fat mass and metabolic age were significant negative predictors. These findings underscore the impact of body composition on motor performance, particularly strength and flexibility, and highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies among university students. The study supports the implementation of early interventions promoting physical activity and healthy body composition to preserve motor abilities and long-term functional health in this critical age group-especially since lifestyle habits formed during university years tend to persist into adulthood.