To what extent was the Roman Army's status as the most superior effective fighting force of its time a function of physical training and nutrition?

by gwpeterk

As a history major who has recently come to enjoy studying nutrition and exercise sciences, I'm curious as to how these factors played a role in making the Roman Army (of the Late Republic - Early Empire) the most superior fighting force in the world. The historiography is rich with attributions to Rome's strategy, tactics, doctrine, etc., but I have encountered relatively little material covering the Roman Army's ability to breed physically superior warriors.

Dinocrocodile
zlatanta

I'm interested in this question too, but weren't Romans quite physically small? Especially compared to the German tribes?