Dr. Goof Schep (1960-2024) was a pioneer in sports medicine, a researcher, and an innovator in the field of exercise medicine. Throughout his career at Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven, he was dedicated to bridging sports physiology, clinical medicine, and patient care. Dr. Schep earned both national and international recognition for his expertise in cardiopulmonary exercise testing, exercise physiology, physical activity in chronic disease, and vascular disorders in endurance athletes.

Driven by the belief that physical fitness is one of the most important predictors of health and quality of life, Dr. Schep developed and implemented numerous innovative programs aimed at helping patients improve their fitness before and after medical treatment. He was a strong advocate of prehabilitation and exercise-based care for people with cancer and chronic diseases long before these approaches became widely adopted within healthcare.

As both a scientist and clinician, Dr. Schep successfully combined scientific insight with practical application. His work contributed to the development of a wide range of exercise programs, healthcare innovations, and assessment tools, including the FitMáx questionnaire. This instrument enables a simple and reliable estimation of cardiorespiratory fitness without requiring a maximal exercise test. His vision was always focused on making exercise medicine more accessible to both patients and healthcare professionals.

In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Schep was highly regarded for his enthusiasm, dedication, and genuine attention to the person behind the patient. He inspired countless colleagues, researchers, healthcare professionals, and students through his passion, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare through exercise and physical activity.

With great sadness, the sports medicine and scientific community said farewell to Dr. Goof Schep, who passed away unexpectedly on June 23, 2024, at the age of 63. His passing represented a significant loss to colleagues, patients, athletes, friends, and family. However, his legacy lives on through the many programs, innovations, scientific contributions, and individuals he inspired throughout his career. His vision, leadership, and passion for improving health through physical activity continue to serve as a lasting inspiration for healthcare professionals and researchers around the world.