Does muscle mass raise your athletic potential?

I ask this question as someone who thinks that bodybuilding-style training, i.e., the use of machines, isolation movements, higher rep schemes, etc., is the best base for people young and old who are new to fitness.

If you are someone who also believes this, would you please share your anecdotal evidence and any research that may be applicable?

If you do not believe this is the best approach to base fitness and athletic potential, would you please share anecdotal evidence and research data that may be applicable?

I am posting this to spark discussion of a rarely discussed topic and to better understand it for myself.

Thank you.