"A lot of coaches treat all the players the same way, whatever their age, whatever their body composition, whatever their injury history, whatever their playing position - everybody is doing the same training, " Verheijen said.

BBC: Total fitness from the land of Total Football

The studies measured the participants' body mass index (BMI), a ratio of their height and weight, but it wasn't able to take into account their body fat composition, or how much of their overall body weight was made up of fat versus muscle.

CNN: Obesity paradox: Why being thin with diabetes is dangerous

Institutions of higher education have a huge stake in the quality and type of students they attract, as the composition of their student body is critical to their development and success.

FORBES: How to Make a College an Irresistible Brand