SimonBrundish

Research in Finland found that simply changing what children play on can quickly influence their immune system. Scientists redesigned parts of nursery playgrounds by swapping gravel and asphalt for natural forest materials, soil, moss, leaf litter, and native plants, so kids would be exposed to the microbes found in nature. After just 28 days, clear biological differences emerged. Children who played in these “rewilded” spaces developed a richer mix of microbes on their skin and in their gut. They also showed higher levels of regulatory T-cells, which help the body manage inflammation and reduce the risk of immune overreactions like allergies. These changes were not observed in children who stayed on conventional playground surfaces. The findings support the biodiversity hypothesis, the idea that limited contact with natural environments, especially in urban life, may be linked to rising allergies and autoimmune conditions. What stands out is how simple the intervention was. This wasn’t extreme outdoor exposure-just everyday play in a more natural setting. Even small, regular contact with soil and vegetation appears to shape the body’s internal ecosystem and how the immune system develops. Learn more: "Dirty Playgrounds: How Rewilding Finnish Schools Transformed Children's Health." LettsSafari

Sprints, sleds, jumps, bounds, throws. Push, pull, squat, hinge. It’s almost as if fundamental reality of elite sports performance training. is betrayed by the performative nature of what is promoted as elite performance training.

🟥 Arne Slot Talks Mohamed Salah: “It's really important for us that we have attackers that score goals. Success last season was multiple attackers scoring lots, this season we aren't scoring as many. There is a little drop off in chance creation but not as much as the goalscoring you would expect. With Mo said many times there's always part in the season where ball falls to you and you don't have to do much to score, and others you do so much and it just doesn't work. Normally things go back to normal and normal for Mo at Liverpool is scoring goals.”

Cody Gakpo has had more shots blocked (30) than any other player in the Premier League this season. 🏹❌