Search Results (603)

Microplastics (MPs) and Antifouling Paint Particles (APPs) are pervasive anthropogenic pollutants that threaten global ecosystems, with distinct yet overlapping environmental behaviors and toxic impacts. MPs disperse widely in aquatic systems via runoff and wastewater; their toxicity stems from physical, chemical, and synergistic effects. APPs are concentrated in coastal zones, estuaries, and shipyard areas, and are acutely toxic due to their high metal and biocide content. This study systematically characterized the composition, concentration, and size distribution of common MPs and APPs in ship-hull derusting wastewater produced by ultra-high-pressure water jetting, using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) coupled with particle size analysis. The wastewater exhibited a total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of 20.04 g·L⁻¹, within which six types of MPs were identified at 3.29 mg·L⁻¹ in total and APPs were quantified at 330.25 mg·L⁻¹, representing 1.65% of TSS. The residual fraction primarily consisted of algae, biological debris, and inorganic particles. Particle size distribution ranged from 3.55 to 111.47 μm, with a median size (D50) of 31 μm, while APPs were mainly 5–100 μm, with 81.4% < 50 μm. Extrapolation to the annual treated ship-hull surface area in 2024 indicated the generation of ~57,440 m³ wastewater containing ~0.2 tons of MPs and ~19 tons of APPs. These findings highlight the magnitude of pollutant release from ship maintenance activities and underscore the urgent need for targeted treatment technologies and regulatory policies to mitigate microplastic pollution in marine environments. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent condition that impairs quality of life, functionality, and work productivity. While most acute episodes of back pain resolve, 4–25% become chronic due to factors such as high pain intensity, psychological distress, and maladaptive behaviors. Nonspecific CLBP is best understood through the biopsychosocial model, encompassing biological, psychological, and social influences, including kinesiophobia. Management relies on physical activity, pain education, and psychological interventions, with therapist knowledge and attitudes affecting outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CLBP among healthcare workers, examine their knowledge of pain neurophysiology, evaluate kinesiophobia, and explore how personal experience with CLBP influences their beliefs, attitudes, and interactions with patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January to May 2025 among healthcare professionals. A total of 50 participants completed an online questionnaire, of which 42 were valid and included in the analysis. The questionnaire collected demographic and professional data, determined the presence of CLBP, and included three standardized instruments: the Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (rNPQ) to assess knowledge of pain mechanisms, the Health Care Providers’ Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) to evaluate beliefs about pain and disability, and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) to measure fear of movement. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Results: Among the 42 participants, 11 demonstrated low, 28 moderate, and 3 high knowledge of pain neurophysiology (rNPQ), with a mean score of 5.66. On the HC-PAIRS, the majority (30 participants) scored above 60, indicating beliefs that pain leads to disability, while 12 scored below 60, reflecting a biopsychosocial perspective; gender did not significantly affect HC-PAIRS scores (p = 0.213). As for kinesiophobia (TSK-11), 24 participants had low, 17 moderate, and 1 clinically significant fear of movement. Correlation analysis revealed that younger participants had higher rNPQ scores (r = −0.358, p = 0.020) and lower TSK-11 scores (r = −0.389, p = 0.011). TSK-11 scores increased with age (r = 0.432, p = 0.004), while HC-PAIRS scores showed no significant correlations. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists, show gaps in knowledge of pain neurophysiology and a tendency toward biomedical beliefs regarding chronic low back pain. This cross-sectional study indicates that a greater understanding of pain mechanisms is associated with lower kinesiophobia, emphasizing the importance of education. Integrating the biopsychosocial model into undergraduate and continuing professional training, through interdisciplinary and practical modules, may improve knowledge, reduce maladaptive fear-avoidance behaviors, and enhance patient care. Future studies should include larger, more diverse samples and assess the long-term impact of educational interventions on clinical practice. Full article

Ericksonian hypnotherapy (EH), a client-centered hypnotic approach characterized by indirect suggestion, individualized flexibility, collaboration, and the principle of Utilization, has seen increased interest as a therapeutic modality across diverse clinical settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EH by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2015 and 2025. Eight eligible RCTs (N = 676) were identified, spanning conditions such as acute pain, depression, grief, irritable bowel syndrome, disordered eating, and alcohol use. EH interventions consistently produced significant symptom reductions compared to waitlists or standard care, with a pooled standardized mean difference of 1.17 (95% CI: 0.70–1.64), indicating a large effect. Moreover, trials comparing EH to active treatments (e.g., CBT, motivational interviewing) revealed comparable efficacy, with pooled estimates supporting non-inferiority. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Notably, some trials suggested that the indirect and personalized nature of EH may confer advantages in domains like grief and hypervigilance. Although evidence remains limited by sample size and heterogeneity, this review provides initial empirical support for EH and supports its inclusion in the evidence-based repertoire for both physical and psychological conditions. Future research should examine mechanisms of change and individual predictors of response to optimize the use of this distinctive hypnotic style. Full article

Physical activity often remains low after hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD). Although post-hospitalisation rehabilitation has shown to support recovery, its impact on daily activity levels in the early post-exacerbation phase is unclear. This study describes the changes in physical activity (PA) and clinical outcomes during an 8-week rehabilitation following hospitalisation for AECOPD. This prospective observational cohort study included patients recently discharged after AECOPD from Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. Participants received municipality-delivered post-hospitalisation rehabilitation consisting of tailored physiotherapy and occupational therapy of individually determined frequency. PA was assessed using thigh-worn triaxial accelerometers measuring 24 h/day over 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes included lung function (FEV1% predicted), dyspnoea scores, health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5-dimension, 5-level (EQ-5D-5L); EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)), frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)), functional status (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)), and symptom burden (COPD Assessment Test (CAT); St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)). Changes from baseline to 8 weeks were analysed using linear mixed-effects models and bootstrap resampling. Forty-three participants with a mean age 73.4 years, 67.4% female, and moderate frailty (CFS 5.4 ± 1.3) were included. Physical activity remained largely unchanged. Gait speed and total SPPB declined, whereas self-perceived health improved (EQ-VAS Δ +7.8, p = 0.008). Lung function, dyspnoea, and health related quality of life scores showed no significant change. In this frail, recently admitted COPD population, physical activity did not increase during the rehabilitation period, and some functional parameters declined. The improvement in self-perceived health suggests a divergence between subjective and objective outcomes. These findings highlight the need for long-term, tailored, and flexible approaches to support recovery after AECOPD. Full article

During exercise, increased oxygen consumption results in elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). If the antioxidant system is unable to counteract this surge in ROS, oxidative stress occurs. Physical activity modulates both the generation and clearance of ROS through dynamic interactions between metabolic and antioxidant systems, and also influences the oxidative burst activity of phagocytes, a key component of the innate immune response. To investigate the acute physiological responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), we assessed the effects of a single HIIT session on oxidative stress markers and the oxidative burst activity of phagocytes in young professional athletes and non-athlete individuals. Blood samples were collected before and after a HIIT session from eleven male athletes (mean age: 22.1 ± 4.5 years) and ten male non-athlete university students (mean age: 21.6 ± 2.3 years). Participants performed a single treadmill HIIT session of ten 45-s intervals at 75–85% of heart rate reserve, separated by 45-s low-intensity recovery periods, with target intensities individualized using the Karvonen formula. Total antioxidant capacity, activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes, total serum nitrite/nitrate levels, lipid peroxidation products, and oxidative burst activity of phagocytes were evaluated before and after exercise. In athletes, a significant increase was observed in the activity of superoxide dismutase (from a median of 2.09 to 2.21 U/mL; p = 0.037) and catalase (from a median of 32.94 to 45.45 nmol/min/mL; p = 0.034) after exercise, whereas no significant changes were found in the control group. Total serum nitrite/nitrate levels significantly increased in both groups after exercise (athletes: from a median of 8.70 to 9.95 µM; p = 0.029; controls: from a median of 10.20 to 11.50 µM; p = 0.016). Oxidative burst capacity of peripheral blood phagocytes was significantly higher in athletes both before (median: 10,422 vs. 6766; p = 0.029) and after (median: 9365 vs. 7370; p = 0.047) the HIIT session compared to controls. Our findings demonstrate that training status markedly influences oxidative stress responses, with athletes exhibiting more effective long-term antioxidant adaptations. These results emphasize the necessity of tailoring exercise regimens to baseline fitness levels in order to optimize oxidative stress management across different populations. Full article

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is traditionally regarded as a metabolic by-product; however, growing evidence indicates that it plays an active regulatory role across multiple physiological systems. Acute hypercapnia elicits respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neurocognitive responses, some of which may transiently influence exercise performance. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on CO₂ inhalation in healthy individuals and critically evaluates whether controlled hypercapnia may serve as a targeted stimulus in sport and exercise contexts. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed English-language articles indexed in PubMed and Web of Science was conducted. A narrative approach was chosen due to the marked heterogeneity of study designs, hypercapnia-induction methods (e.g., CO₂ inhalation, voluntary hypoventilation, increased respiratory dead space), participant characteristics, and outcome measures, which precluded systematic synthesis. The review focused on studies involving healthy or physically active individuals and examined acute or short-term hypercapnic exposure. No strict publication date limits were applied. Studies conducted exclusively in clinical populations were excluded. Results: Short-term, controlled hypercapnia reliably increases ventilation, sympathetic activation, cerebral and muscular blood flow, and metabolic stress. Certain hypercapnia-based interventions—such as voluntary hypoventilation or added respiratory dead space—may enhance buffering capacity, reduce lactate accumulation and improve maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) during submaximal efforts and repeated-sprint performance during high-intensity, short-duration exercise. However, CO₂ inhalation frequently induces dyspnea, anxiety, and cognitive disruption, and higher concentrations pose clear safety risks. Current evidence does not support long-term improvements in VO₂max or long-duration endurance performance following hypercapnia-based interventions. Conclusions: Controlled, intermittent hypercapnia may provide a targeted metabolic and ventilatory stimulus that enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercise, yet its application remains experimental and context-dependent. The risks associated with CO₂ inhalation in healthy individuals currently outweigh its potential benefits, and safe, effective training protocols have not been fully established. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms, long-term adaptations, and practical utility of hypercapnia-based training strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent preclinical studies suggest that acute exercise induces immune modulation, enhances tumor blood perfusion, and is associated with reduced tumor growth. Adding exercise to immunochemotherapy treatment (ICT) has been proposed as a strategy to increase treatment effectiveness. The ERICA trial (NCT04676009) aimed to assess the feasibility of acute aerobic exercise performed immediately before the administration of ICT in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) and to explore hypothesis-generating outcomes related to physical fitness and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Newly diagnosed mNSCLC patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to the exercise or control group. The exercise intervention included supervised acute exercise before each of four ICT cycles plus a 3-month home-based walking program with an activity tracker and step goals. The feasibility of the exercise protocol was assessed through adherence, acceptability, tolerability, and safety. Clinical, physical, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Twenty-six patients (mean age 60.6 years; SD 10.65) participated, with an 87.5% acceptance rate. In the exercise group (n = 17), 80.9% of participants completed the acute exercise sessions, with a median interval of 38 min [IQR, 20–60] between exercise and ICT. No exercise-related adverse effects were reported. After 3 months, 60% of participants in the exercise group were classified as active and maintained their step goals. Self-reported measures suggest that maintaining physical fitness is favorable for reducing fatigue and insomnia, and therefore improving quality of life. Conclusions: Acute exercise performed immediately before each ICT administration in patients with mNSCLC appears feasible and safe. Full article

Fishing is a widely practiced recreational activity that offers psychological, physical, and social benefits, but it also poses risks such as acute trauma and chronic overuse injuries. This narrative review aims to (1) synthesize current evidence on the musculoskeletal disorders, psychological outcomes, and environmental factors associated with recreational and sport fishing; (2) identify the physical, mental, and social health benefits reported across different angling disciplines; (3) characterize acute and chronic injury risks, including overuse syndromes and environment-related hazards; and (4) highlight gaps in the literature to guide future research directions in public health, rehabilitation, and preventive medicine. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted in accordance with SANRA guidelines. A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar identified studies published between 2000 and 2025. Eligible sources included population surveys, clinical studies, therapeutic angling programs, epidemiological reports, and case studies addressing physical, psychological, or injury-related outcomes in recreational or sport fishing. Studies on commercial or occupational fishing were excluded. Evidence was synthesized thematically across benefit and risk domains. A total of 565 records were identified across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar). After screening, duplication, and full-text assessment, 41 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. The evidence indicates significant psychological benefits of fishing, including reductions in stress, improved mood, and clinically meaningful decreases in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms reported in therapeutic fly-fishing programs. Musculoskeletal outcomes were more heterogeneous: chronic conditions such as low back pain and repetitive strain injuries of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were commonly reported among regular anglers, particularly in physically demanding disciplines. Ice and sea fishing were associated with distinct environmental risks, including hypothermia, frostbite, and rare but documented fatal incidents. The results of this narrative review highlight the therapeutic potential of both recreational and sport fishing. However, they also point to the need for greater awareness of the risk of injury and environmental hazards associated with this type of fishing. Full article

Acute lung injury (ALI) is driven by a complex interplay between immune dysregulation and structural matrix remodeling. Although inflammation, oxidative stress, and disturbances in the coagulation–fibrinolysis system have long been recognized as core pathogenic drivers, growing evidence demonstrates that the extracellular matrix (ECM) functions as an active regulator of lung injury and repair rather than a passive structural scaffold. This review synthesizes current advances in ECM biology and immunopathology to delineate how ECM remodeling influences, and is concurrently shaped by, the inflammatory microenvironment. We outline how biochemical and physical modes of ECM remodeling engage in bidirectional crosstalk with the immune system. Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this ECM–immune axis are critically evaluated, including modulation of protease activity, interventions that reprogram cell–matrix interactions, and approaches that restore ECM integrity using stem cells or engineered biomaterials. By redefining ALI as a disease of immune–matrix reciprocity, this review underscores the ECM as both a structural framework and a dynamic immunoregulatory hub, providing conceptual and mechanistic insights that may guide the development of precision therapies for ALI and related pulmonary disorders. Full article

Physical exercise is a potent non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and certain cancers. Growing evidence demonstrates that the benefits of exercise extend beyond its physiological effects and are largely mediated by coordinated molecular and cellular adaptations. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the key mechanisms through which exercise modulates metabolic health, emphasizing intracellular signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation, and myokine-driven inter-organ communication. Exercise induces acute and chronic activation of pathways such as AMPK, PGC-1α, mTOR, MAPKs, and NF-κB, leading to enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, improved oxidative capacity, refined energy sensing, and reduced inflammation. Additionally, repeated muscle contraction stimulates the release of myokines—including IL-6, irisin, BDNF, FGF21, apelin, and others—that act through endocrine and paracrine routes to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin secretion, adipose tissue remodeling, neuroplasticity, and systemic inflammatory tone. Epigenetic modifications and exercise-responsive microRNAs further contribute to long-term metabolic reprogramming. Collectively, these molecular adaptations establish exercise as a systemic biological stimulus capable of restoring metabolic homeostasis and counteracting the pathophysiological processes underlying NCDs. Understanding these mechanisms provides a foundation for developing targeted, personalized exercise-based interventions in preventive and therapeutic medicine. Full article

Background/Objectives: Long COVID (LC) is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and reduced quality of life, often lasting months after acute infection. Exercise-based interventions have shown promise, but evidence for non-aerobic programs remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week motor control exercise program on body composition and fatigue in women with LC and to explore associations with physical activity and psychosocial factors. Methods: An exploratory pre–post non-controlled intervention study was conducted in 17 women with LC symptoms persisting for over one year. Participants completed 24 individualized sessions of a non-aerobic therapeutic exercise program focused on trunk stabilization. Outcomes included body composition (bioimpedance analysis), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), physical activity (IPAQ), and kinesiophobia (TSK-11). Paired t-tests, effect sizes, correlations, and regression models were applied. Results: The intervention significantly reduced total body fat (37.09% to 35.41%, p < 0.001) and trunk fat (35.82% to 33.82%, p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Physical and psychosocial fatigue improved markedly (MFIS physical: 29.71 to 21.06, p < 0.001; psychosocial: 6.00 to 4.29, p = 0.001), while cognitive fatigue showed non-significant change. Pain/discomfort scores decreased substantially (2.86 to 1.79, p < 0.001). Vigorous activity and walking time increased, and sedentary time decreased. No significant changes were observed in muscle mass or kinesiophobia. Conclusions: A structured, non-aerobic exercise program can effectively reduce body fat, alleviate fatigue, and improve pain perception in women with LC, supporting its role in rehabilitation. Multimodal strategies may be required to address cognitive symptoms and fear of movement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Migraine (MIG) is a neurologic, acute or chronic, disabling pathology that significantly reduces quality of life in millions of people worldwide. Among modifiable factors that influence the onset and management of MIG, nutritional and physical activity habits are crucial elements of a non-pharmacological treatment aiming at improving the anti-inflammatory condition. Methods: This review analyses the evidence available, using the last 10 years of published papers (searching in MEDLINE/PubMed), on the use of specific dietetic plans, the identification of potential nutritional triggers, the role of some supplements, the effects of regular PA, and weight management, in people with MIG. Results: Associations have been reported between the use of ketogenic, low-glycemic, and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, the identification of potential nutritional triggers, and supplementation with some elements such as any vitamins, PUFAs, and CoQ10, in addition to regular mixed PA, and the duration, frequency, and intensity of MIG attacks. Conclusions: Despite some RCTs showing promising results, an actual lifestyle-based protocol does not yet exist due to methodological limitations. However, current evidence supports the development of a “lifestyle” approach to MIG management, although further research is needed to establish definitive and standardized clinical recommendations. Full article

Executive function is crucial for the physical and mental health as well as social adaptation of preschool children, and cognitively engaging physical activity may serve as an effective intervention. This study employed a pre-post experimental design with a repeated measures ANOVA to examine the intervention effects and underlying mechanisms of a 20 min cognitively engaging physical activity on preschool children’s executive function. A total of 56 preschool children were recruited and randomly assigned to either the cognitively engaging physical activity group or the conventional physical activity group. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention using Go/No-Go, 1-back, and dimension-changing card classification tasks. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was employed to monitor changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex during cognitive tasks. Results indicate that acute cognitively engaging physical activity effectively modulates oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in specific regions of the prefrontal cortex in preschool children, leading to an immediate enhancement in working memory capacity. This approach demonstrates potential advantages in inhibitory control, while no significant differences were observed in cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, post-intervention changes in inhibitory control and working memory showed significant positive correlations with changes in prefrontal oxygenated hemoglobin concentration. These findings provide scientific evidence for applying cognitive engagement elements in cognitive development and theoretical support for designing targeted physical activity interventions. Full article

Background/Objective: Kinesiotaping (KT) is widely used in sports and rehabilitation; however, evidence regarding its acute physiological effects on strength, pain sensitivity, and muscle oxygenation remains inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of forearm KT on maximal grip strength, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and muscle oxygenation in healthy, physically active adults who performed a fatiguing exercise protocol. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 28 participants (56 forearms), each randomly assigned to one of four conditions: KT applied proximal-to-distal, KT applied distal-to-proximal, placebo taping (no tension), or no taping (control). All assessments were performed within a single session, before and after a standardized forearm fatigue protocol. The outcomes included maximal and average grip strength (digital dynamometer), PPT (digital algometer), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb) measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (time × group) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. Results: All groups showed significant within-group reductions in grip strength after the fatigue protocol (Δ −2.8 to −7.9 kg; all p ≤ 0.01), confirming the effectiveness of fatigue induction. Between-group analysis revealed a significant effect only for SmO₂ (p < 0.001; η²p = 0.317), with the proximal-to-distal KT group showing the largest post-fatigue increase (Δ +22.4; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 2.99) in SmO₂. However, a comparable increase in SmO₂ was also observed in the control group, suggesting a possible nonspecific reperfusion or oxygenation recovery effect. No between-group differences were observed in THb (p = 0.061), maximal grip strength (p = 0.092), average grip strength (p = 0.465), or PPT (p = 0.431). Conclusions: In healthy, physically active adults, forearm kinesiotaping did not produce significant acute effects on grip strength, pain threshold, or total hemoglobin levels following fatigue. Although a transient increase in SmO₂ was observed with proximal-to-distal taping, this change likely reflects a non-specific post-fatigue reperfusion response rather than a direct enhancement of perfusion. These findings support a physiological, rather than clinical, interpretation of KT’s effects. Future studies should include clinical or athletic populations and explore whether repeated applications produce cumulative adaptations in muscle oxygenation and recovery processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk and poor cognition in children and their parents. Family-based physical activity offers an opportunity for children and their parents to engage in physical activity concurrently. The present study examined the effect of an acute bout of family-based tag rugby on risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognition in families. Additionally, this study qualitatively explored families’ perceptions of enjoyment and factors affecting implementation with considerations for socioeconomic status. Methods: Sixteen families (27 children, 20 parents) participated in an exercise (45 min family-based tag rugby) and resting control trial (45 min seated rest), separated by seven days. Postprandial gylcaemia, insulinaemia, lipaemia and cognitive function were measured following exercise/rest. Families also participated in whole-family focus groups and separate parent and child interviews. Results: In parents, postprandial plasma insulin concentrations were lower on the exercise trial than the rested control trial at 30 min (p = 0.004) and 120 min following the consumption of a standardised lunch (p = 0.011). In children, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency scores on the Sternberg paradigm (three-item) was exhibited (p = 0.016). In parents, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency score on the Stroop congruent test was exhibited (trial*time interaction; p = 0.012), whereby inverse efficiency scores improved immediately post-exercise, compared with the rested control trial (p = 0.016). Qualitatively, families from all socioeconomic backgrounds agreed that tag rugby is an inclusive, enjoyable mode of physical activity that families want to participate in together, which can be adapted to overcome the barriers associated with the cost of and access to local facilities. Conclusions: An acute bout of tag rugby improved postprandial insulin concentrations in parents and cognitive function in children and their parents. Tag rugby was deemed an appropriate exercise modality for families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Full article