Martin Schwellnus is a full professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is also a specialist sports and exercise medicine physician who regularly consults with athletes of all levels. He holds an MBBCh from University of the Witwatersrand (cum laude), a M.Sc. (Med) from University of Cape Town, and an M.D. (equivalent to a PhD) degree from University of Cape Town, and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine as well as the International Sports Medicine Federation. Among the many other responsibilities he holds, Prof Schwellnus is a Director of the newly established Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI) at the University of Pretoria, Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Center in South Africa, a longstanding member of the IOC Medical Commission (Medical and Science group), and a member of the editorial board of a number of international journals including the British Journal of Sports Medicine. He has a specific interest in the health benefits of regular exercise, and prescribing safe exercise to all populations in order to reduce the global burden of non-communicable disease. He has published over 300 scientific journal articles and has extensive national and international research and clinical collaborations.