Professor Mario Narici from Manchester University led the discussion on the effects of space trips on the physiology of astronauts. Astronauts have the urgent requirement for physiotherapy treatment on return from space, if they are not to fracture a limb – even if they have only been out there for a short time. Professor Narici’s work also has implications for the ageing process and automatic monitoring the efficiency of bodily processes with a view to applying timely interventions.

It was fascinating and thanks to Chris Grice for his excellent chairmanship of the meeting in my absence.