Performance Profile and Conditioning Needs Analysis of Youth Silat Athletes in a Kuala Lumpur Sports School

Ahmad Zolkiffli, Ahmad Amir Zaffuan (2026) Performance Profile and Conditioning Needs Analysis of Youth Silat Athletes in a Kuala Lumpur Sports School. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Pencak Silat is a physically demanding combat sport requiring explosive power, strength, endurance, and agility. Despite its significance in Malaysia, there is limited research profiling the physical performance and conditioning needs of youth Silat athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the physical performance profiles and conditioning requirements of youth Silat athletes aged 13 to 17 at a Kuala Lumpur sports school, with a focus on how these variables differ across gender, competition experience, and weight category. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 36 youth Silat athletes (18 males, 18 females). Physical performance was assessed using a battery of standardized tests: standing broad jump (explosive power), handgrip strength (upper-body strength), push-up test (upper-body muscular endurance), 20-second kicking test (kicking performance), Edgren Sidestep Test (agility), and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (aerobic endurance). Descriptive statistics were used to establish the overall physical profile, while independent-samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were conducted to examine subgroup differences. Results showed significant gender differences in most variables, with male athletes outperforming females in broad jump forward (mean difference = 35.05 cm, p < 0.001), push-up maximal performance (mean difference = 18.28 repetitions, p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (right: mean difference = 7.18 kg, p = 0.013; left: mean difference = 7.16 kg, p = 0.047). Non-dominant leg kicking was also significantly different between sexes (mean difference = 6.43 kicks, p = 0.023), as well as Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test estimated VO₂max (mean difference = 3.34 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, p < 0.001). Competition experience influenced handgrip strength (right: p = 0.018, left: p = 0.026) and non-dominant leg kicking (p = 0.037), while weight category showed significant differences only for Yo-Yo IR1 estimated VO₂max (p = 0.046).These results suggest that youth Silat athletes possess a multi-component physical performance profile, with specific conditioning needs varying by gender, competition experience, and weight category. Tailored conditioning programs focusing on explosive power, grip strength, and aerobic endurance are recommended. Future research should explore longitudinal data and additional physical performance attributes to refine conditioning strategies for youth Silat athletes.