Association of body mass index, physical activity, and quality of life among sport science students: A cross-sectional study
Keywords:
BMI, physical activity, quality of life, sex differences, sport science studentsAbstract
Background: Although physical activity is generally associated with better health and well-being, limited evidence has examined the relative associations of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity with quality of life among sport science students. Objectives: This study examined the relationships between BMI, physical activity, and quality of life and assessed sex differences among sport science students. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 93 sport science students aged 18–25 years. BMI was measured directly, physical activity was assessed using the GPAQ, and quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF. Associations were examined using multiple linear regression after testing regression assumptions. Results: Most participants had normal BMI (68.89%) and high physical activity levels (47.31%). The mean quality of life score was 97.41 ± 11.87. Quality of life differed significantly across physical activity levels (p = 0.024), but not across BMI categories (p = 0.914) or by sex (p = 0.473). Physical activity was positively associated with quality of life (β = 0.278, p = 0.007), whereas BMI was not (β = −0.045, p = 0.657). The regression model explained 8.1% of the variance in quality of life (R² = 0.081, p = 0.022). Conclusion: Physical activity showed a stronger association with quality of life than BMI among sport science students, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate physical activity to support student well-being.
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Author Biographies
Gustiana Mega Anggita, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Neni Widiasmoro, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Sport Science and Coaching, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak, Malaysia
Mohammad Arif Ali, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Panita Khampoosa, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Physical Education, Sport and Health, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
Dewi Marfu'ah Kurniawati, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
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Accepted 2026-08-20
Published 2026-08-31
