Professor Dick Hendricus Julianus Thijssen studies the introduction and understanding of non-pharmacological strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Specifically, he examines the impact of physical activity on the quality and structure of arteries, and the role of hemodynamic forces on these physiological adaptations. For this work, he develops techniques to noninvasively measure vascular and cardiac function. In addition, his work focuses on innovative strategies to improve health. Central in these strategies is the exposure to hypoxia. His research group is the first to explore the impact of repeated ischaemic and exercise preconditioning, which both induce local or systemic hypoxia. Independent of the route of administration, this work has revealed the potential clinical impact of repeated exposure to hypoxia to achieve benefits for patients. His personal ambition is to fully use the potential of hypoxia to improve patients’ lives and reduce clinical symptoms through this simple, low-cost strategy.