Ever since I started lecturing, firstly as a biologist (1973–1980) and then as a sport scientist (1980–2010), I always encouraged my students to keep in mind the questions ‘how’ and ‘why’ – in other words, how does that happen and why does that happen? In essence, I wanted them to possess an enquiring mind and not to be satisfied with a superficial understanding of the subject matter if possible – especially if the subject is one in which they wish to specialize.