Background and purpose Archery is a precision sport that requires a high level of muscular strength, muscular endurance, and postural stability to maintain shooting accuracy and consistency during repeated performance. However, conventional archery training programs often emphasize technical repetition while providing limited integration of structured physical conditioning, which may contribute to fatigue-related performance decline. Recently, fun-based and game-oriented training approaches have gained attention as a strategy to enhance physical capacity while maintaining athlete motivation and engagement. This study aimed to examine the effects of a fun-based circuit training program on muscular strength, muscular endurance, and competitive performance among Indonesian archery athletes. Material and methods An experimental pre-test-post-test control group design was employed involving 38 competitive archery athletes aged 18-25 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 19), which undertook a 12-week fun-based circuit training program, or a control group (n = 19), which continued conventional training. Muscular strength was assessed using handgrip dynamometry and upper-body one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests. Muscular endurance was evaluated through plank hold and push-up tests. Archery performance was measured based on shooting accuracy and shooting consistency. Data were analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in muscular strength (grip strength: +15.6%; upper-body 1RM: +14.1%), muscular endurance (plank hold: +30.3%; push-ups: +28.1%), and archery performance (shooting accuracy: +21.1%; shooting consistency variability: -25.0%; p < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions Fun-based circuit training is an effective and practical method for enhancing physical fitness and competitive performance in archery athletes and can be recommended as a complementary approach to traditional training programs
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