TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                

Note from the President                                                        2

            Mary Rodgers

Update on the nomination for council members

            Sandra J. Olney                                                        4

Affiliated Societies                                                                4

            Jill L. McNitt-Gray

Economically Developing Countries                                       4

            Jill L. McNitt-Gray

Call for Abstracts                                                                  5

            Brian L. Davis

ISB 2005 Tutorials                                                               6

            Walter Herzog

ISB 2005 Symposia

            Keith Williams, Frederico Casalo                              6

Editor’s Notes and Requests                                                 7

            Karen Søgaard

Biomechanics and Music                                                       8

            Brian L. Davis

Notes from the Archives                                                       9

            John Challis

Announcement of the Nike Award                                        10

            Mario A. Lafortune

Roadmap                                                                              11

            Brian L. Davis

ISB Student Grant Update 2005                                           12

            Alex Stacoff

Matching Dissertation Grant Report                                       14

            Justin Keogh

Announcement of the Winner of the Delsys Contest               16

            Tiziana DeLuca

Puzzle                                                                                                               17

            W. Lutz Bauer

Upcoming Meetings, Workshops                                          20

Membership News & Important Information                        22

            Graeme A. Wood

AFFILIATE SOCIETIES OF ISB:

American Society of Biomechanics; Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics;  British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences; Bulgarian Society of Biomechanics;  Canadian Society of Biomechanics/Société canadienne de biomécanique; Chinese Society of Sports Biomechanics; Comisia de Biomecanica Inginerie si Informatica (Romania);  Czech Society of Biomechanics;  Taiwanese Society of Biomechanics,Japanese Society  of Biomechanics; Korean Society of Sport Biomechanics; Polish Society of Biomechanics; Russian Society of Biomechanics; Société de biomécanique (France).

he new year brings with it many things—a time to start over, a time to improve, and a time to think about the future.

            In past president’s notes, I’ve spoken of the importance of the future of the field of biomechanics and how the students of today will be the professionals of tomorrow.  ISB continues to strive in assisting students in a number of ways.  We give awards and have tutorials.  But now we’re going one step further and, in essence, are also making history.

            As you may know, ISB elections are coming up.  For the first time, the student membership will be electing a student representative to the ISB Council.  By doing this, we will be giving students a stronger voice in the organization.  And making them an even more integral part of the ISB will benefit everyone.

            I encourage all of you to vote.  By voting, you are helping us to sustain a strong ISB leadership.  Regarding the elections, note Past-President Sandra Olney’s notice in this newsletter and update on the recruitment of students to run for the office of student representative in the council.

            Also with the approach of the new year, it’s a good time to reflect on our continuing growth as an international society.  Unfortunately, I discovered disturbing news from some recent communications.  Some people, it seems, think that the ISB is interested in a hierarchical relationship with other organizations.  Let me assure you all that this is not ISB’s agenda.  Those affiliated with ISB have formalized communication so that they can better work together with ISB in supporting biomechanics worldwide.  ISB seeks collaborative relationships in terms of building the biomechanics community.

This, along with recent e-mail conversations with other societies and input from our own member survey made me realize how important it is to clearly communicate ISB’s purpose.

            In 1973, ISB was founded at Penn State University in the United States for the purpose of promoting the study of all areas of biomechanics at the international level, with special emphasis given to the biomechanics of Human Movement. 

ISB encourages international contacts among scientists, promotes the dissemination of knowledge, and forms liaisons with other organizations to foster biomechanics research worldwide.

            Who are our members?  Scientists from a variety of disciplines including anatomy, physiology, engineering (mechanical, industrial aerospace, etc.), orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, sport science and medicine, ergonomics, electro-physiological kinesiology, and others.

            Over the last 31 years, ISB has grown to include over 1,000 members.  ISB also provides for affiliate membership of other biomechanics organizations. Two additional societies are requesting affiliation (see Jill McNitt-Gray’s description in this newsletter).

            In addition, the ISB supports technical and working groups for the purpose of advancing knowledge in specialized areas within the field of biomechanics.  Current technical groups include Computer Simulation, Shoulder Biomechanics, Footwear Biomechanics, and 3-D Motion Analysis.  (Technical group satellite conferences and symposiums for 2005 are highlighted in this newsletter.)

            Members of ISB enjoy a number of perks including the quarterly newsletter which contains a Calendar of Scientific Events, Awards information, and special feature articles.  Members also get reduced journal subscription rates and discounts on registration fees at ISB Congresses and those of affiliate societies.

            In terms of activities, ISB has the organization of biennial international congresses, a provision of congress proceedings, the distribu-

tion of a quarterly ISB newsletter, the sponsorship of scientific meetings related to biomechanics as well as affiliation with the Journal of Biomechanics, the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Clinical Biomechanics, and the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.

            (We discovered, by way of the survey we conducted this past summer, that members would like more journal offerings and electronic access.  As a result, we are in discussions with Elsevier regarding adding reduced price subscriptions to Gait & Posture and the Journal of Orthopedic Research.  Electronic access is already available for members who subscribe to the Journal of Biomechanics.  Later this year, that will be an option for subscribers to Clinical Biomechanics.)

            ISB’s major activity, though, is its biennial International Congress on Biomechanics—both its organization and the event itself.  Congresses provide the opportunity for participants to gain more knowledge about the current status of the field and to make valuable professional and personal contacts. 

            To promote international development of the field, congresses are held in different countries each time.  The 2005 congress will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and promises, as usual, to be excellent. 

Speaking of the 2005 Congress, the organizers have included the top seven features identified by this summer’s member survey that would encourage people to attend:  a top notch scientific program, multiple opportunities to present research, reasonable cost, an accessible location, an August date, numerous networking opportunities, and excellent Keynote speakers.  Be sure to read what else the conference organizers have to say about ISB Congress 2005 in this newsletter.

            The ISB also supports other scientific meetings related to biomechanics by serving as the event’s sponsor.  In this capacity, the ISB helps with the dissemination of information and promotion, encourages members to participate, and, upon request, will assist with the planning and organization of the event.

            Additionally, the ISB supports the internet electronic discussion forum BIOMCH-L and lecture tours for economically developing countries.  See Jill McNitt-Gray’s note about initiatives for economically developing countries in this newsletter.

            And ISB knows how to give kudos.  At its congresses, the Society presents a number of awards for excellence including the Muybridge Award (the Society’s highest honor for outstanding contributions to biomechanics), the Wartenweiler Memorial Lectureship (named after ISB’s first president), and the Young Investigator and the Clinical Biomechanics Awards for the best papers presented competitively.

            As for scholarship, the ISB promotes it through the educational programs held at the congresses, its student Travel Grants (which enables a biomechanics student to travel to another continent to further a research project), and a range of student Grants-in-Aid for Dissertation Research and for ISB Congress attendance.  (Please note that the deadline for student grants is coming up in January.  Details are in this newsletter and on the Web site.)

            Now that you know everything you ever wanted to know about ISB, but were afraid to ask--I leave you with one more bit of information.  John Challis, ISB’s archivist, has a great article about what the ISB archives include and what types of things he would like members to submit.

I wish you all the best in the coming year. 

Until next time…  Mary Rodgers

Please read the notice about this that appears later in the Newsletter.  If you do not have internet access, please let me know by sending me your full mailing address. 

Sandra J. Olney, ISB Past President

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

School of Rehabilitation Therapy

Queen's University

Kingston, ON Canada K7L 3N6

ISB would like to expand their affiliation with other international and national societies of biomechanics. If you know of national or international biomechanics societies that are interested in becoming affiliated and working collaboratively with ISB, please contact Jill McNitt-Gray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Promotion of Biomechanics

ISB is interested in stimulating biomechanics related research and promoting international collaboration in economically developing countries. ISB would like to invite all ISB Affiliated Societies in economically developing countries to submit a two page proposal outlining their current needs and ways ISB can facilitate their efforts related to biomechanics related education, research, and communication. This may include support for education and training of students, biomechanics related research, technical training, or travel of speakers to regional or national conferences economically developing countries.

Congress Travel Awards for the ISB 2005 Meeting
Members of Affiliated Societies in Economically Developing Countries are encouraged to apply for

travel grants associated with attendance at the ISB 2005 Meeting in Cleveland, OH, USA. Application forms are available at http://www.isbweb.org/student/grantform.html. Applications are to be received by January 15, 2005. Notification to applicants will be by March 12, 2005. Recipients will submit a brief report to the committee which will be published in the Newsletter.

Liaisons with Economically Developing Countries
If you are interested in assisting the ISB Executive Committee in undertaking actions approved by the ISB council by serving as a liaison and facilitating communication between ISB and an Affiliated Society, please contact Jill McNitt-Gray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jill L. McNitt-Gray, Ph.D.

Dear Colleagues,

A combined team from Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland State University and Lutheran is organizing the next combined ISB and ASB congress.  The meeting will begin on July 31^st with four tutorials.

From August 1^st through to August 5^th, the focus will be on parallel sessions that span the field of biomechanics.  Topics that will be covered include:

In addition to podium and poster presentations, there will also be an evening “Pressure Measurement Workshop” offered by Novel Gmbh.

The official language of the Congress will be English.  Detailed information relating to the Congress is given at http://www.isb2005.org/.  In particular, please note that January 31, 2005 is the deadline for the submission of abstracts.  Formatting instructions are given at:

http://www.isb2005.org/abstracts/isb2005-template.doc

Once delegates have spent an entire day discussing the latest findings in the field, they need to relax!  For this reason, considerable attention is being given to creating a social program to facilitate interactions between scientists from all over the world.  The world-renowned New York Yankee baseball team will be in Cleveland from August 2^nd – 4^th; there will be optional mid-week excursions to Niagara Falls and other areas around Cleveland; and exciting social events each evening of the week.  The final banquet will be held at the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame.

Looking forward to seeing you in Cleveland!!

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any relevant information:

Tel: (216) 445-9343

Fax: (216) 444-9198

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brian L. Davis, Ph.D

The ISB has a long tradition of offering excellent tutorials in a variety of different areas. These tutorials are selected based on input from the membership and suggestions from the ISB executive members and the organizing committee.

At the ISB in Cleveland, it is planned to have once again a series of outstanding tutorials.

Four tutorials are scheduled for Sunday July 31^st, two running in parallel in the morning and two running in parallel in the afternoon, each lasting approximately two hours.

The following topics and speakers have been identified:

1. Soft Tissue Mechanics by Jeff Weiss

2. Bone and Joint Mechanics by Rik Huiskes

3. 3-D Analysis of Movement by Richard Baker

4. Motor Control by Mark Latash

Please mark your calendars and plan to arrive early to catch one or two of these tutorials given by some of the best researchers in the respective areas.

Walter Herzog

Tutorial Organizer for the ISB

The 7th Symposium on Footwear Biomechanics will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from July 27-29, 2005 at Case Western Reserve University.  The meeting will start out with an opening reception Wednesday evening, with two days of meetings culminating with a banquet on Friday at the Glidden House.  Keynote speakers will include Benno M. Nigg, professor of biomechanics at the University of Calgary, and Dr. Martyn R. Shorten, President of BioMechanica, LLC, who will provide perspectives on footwear research in the past, at present, and in the future.

Papers are invited involving all aspects of footwear biomechanics.  Abstract submissions will be in .pdf form and due January 31, 2005, with notification by March 1, 2005.  Specific information regarding format and details for submission and conference registration will be available soon from the ISB Technical Group on Footwear web site at http://www.staffs.ac.uk/isb-fw. Research Awards will once again be provided in three categories – for basic research, applied research, and a student award.

In addition, at the closing banquet Nike will be announcing the winner of a special $25,000 research prize that they are sponsoring this year.  The purpose of the award is to encourage research on the role of athletic footwear in the prevention of chronic sport injuries. Full papers will be submitted in the Spring to Nike and finalists will be reviewed by a scientific panel of experts for selection of the award winner.  Details are in this newsletter and will also be posted on the footwear web site. Research sponsored by Nike will not be eligible for this award.

Further information can be obtained via email from Keith R. Williams, chairperson of the footwear group (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or Joe Hamill, meeting coordinator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Keith Williams

Footwear Group

VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION:

Case Western Reserve University, (probably in. Dively building)

Accommodation will be at CWRU student residences, one block from the meeting. Keynote speakers will be at the Glidden house. We plan to include the accommodation with the registration. If people want to stay in a hotel instead, they will not get a discounted registration, so we encourage everybody to be together.

PROGRAM includes Keynote Lectures, oral presentations and computer demonstrations.

The meeting will START with a reception on the evening of July 28 (Thursday), and will END with a banquet on Saturday evening.

Local ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:

Robert F. Kirsch (meeting chair)

Musa Audu (scientific program)

Ed Chadwick (technical program)

Ton van den Bogert (ISB/TGCS liaison)

Elizabeth Hardin (accommodation)

Frederico Casalo

Computer Simulation Group

Recent research has shown that mental work will help to keep your brain young and fit. Now that the season’s holydays are just around the corner you may have a couple of hours, where you need some challenges for your brain! I am sure that Lutz Bauer’s trampoline puzzle can keep you busy for a while.

If you manage to find a solution be sure to send it to the editor before the 15 of February 2005. There is no prize to win in this competition but we can promise  that your name and solution will appear in the next Newsletter, so you will reach a dedicated audience. 

If you get inspired and create your own puzzle, do not hesitate to let the editor know.

In the next Newsletter you can look forward to a description of the two new societies requesting affiliation, the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports and the Brazilian Society of Biomechanics.

You will also have an update from the busy organizers of ISB 2005 in Cleveland. And last but not the least interesting; the first electronic election of ISB council member will have taken place. We will keep you updated on this event as well.

General deadline for the Spring Newsletter is the first of March 2005. Please send your contribution in electronic form in any form of English to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Karen Søgaard

The Closing Banquet for the 2005 combined ISB/ASB Congress will be held at Cleveland’s popular “Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame”.  For those of you who are wondering if there will be any live performances at this event  - stay “tuned”  - we are hoping for some guest appearances of people who - with the help of some make up and hair styling - bear uncanny resemblances to famous musicians! 

Brian L. Davis, Ph.D.

Where and what is the archive?

Our collection is held in the Penn State University Archives, which are in the Paterno Library on campus.  This facility is climate controlled to ensure all stored materials are maximally preserved.  It is located about 400 meters from the Biomechanics Laboratory.

The library controls access to the materials, so that no paperwork leaves the archive.

The library is named for Joe and Sue Paterno to honor their hard work and leadership in the Campaign for the Library, which raised $13.75 million in private gifts to build the library.  Joe Paterno, for those of you who do not know, is the football coach at Penn State.

Along with the constitution, and its revisions, the archive contains minutes of executive council meetings, financial records, meeting proceedings, details of nominees and awardees for society awards, copies of correspondence, and other materials.

What do I try to do with the archive?

Ensure the archive contains all the information that the society wants to preserve.  This, of course, includes giving people a gentle nudge when this information is not forthcoming.

Go through the process of ensuring all of the records are color coded (e.g., financial records are in green folders; presidential correspondence are in red, etc.), so that identification of specific records is easier. On receipt of information it is categorized, labeled, cataloged, and then sent on to the library for entry into the archive.

Progressively work through the archive, noting gaps and omissions, and then work at trying to fill these gaps and omissions.

Move to having more of the information stored electronically (e.g., important documents stored in hard copy as well as PDF files).

Provide information, as requested, from the archive to officers of the society.

How can our membership help?

Contact me if you have some paperwork you think could be added to the archive.

At the moment we do not have a complete set of Newsletters.  The gaps are in the years prior to 1990.  Anybody who is looking to recover some shelf space and would like to donate their Newsletters please let me know.

I will notify you of any other materials we would like to add as I become aware of them.

[If you have any materials you think should be in the archive, and you would consider donating them to the archive please contact John Challis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).]

John Challis

Nike will sponsor a prize of UD$25,000 on a biennial basis to encourage research on athletic footwear.  The topic for this year competition will be the role of athletic footwear in the prevention of chronic sport injuries.  The prize will be granted for the first time at the meeting of the ISB Footwear Biomechanics Technical Group to be held July 17-19, 2005 at Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio in conjunction with the 2005 ISB congress.

The prize will be awarded competitively on the scientific merit of the work*.  A panel of experts from the field will be assembled to determine the winner of the award. Full papers containing original material, not previously submitted for publication, must be received at the following address no later than June 1, 2005:

*Note that research sponsored by Nike will not be eligible for this award.

Preparation of the manuscript

Language:     Manuscript must be written in English.

Format:         Manuscript must follow a typical scientific publication format such as Journal of Biomechanics. All references must be collected in a separate section at the end of the manuscript.

Length:         Manuscript must not exceed 15 typewritten pages of text and should not to exceed 25 pages including figures and tables.

Page Size:      US letter size (8.5” X 11”) or European A4 size.  All margins (Top, Bottom, Left and Right) must be 1 inch (2.5 cm).

Line Spacing: 1.5

Font:             Times New Roman size 10.

General Information

The winner of the Nike Award for Athletic Footwear Research will be announced at the ISB Footwear Biomechanics Technical Group meeting to be held at Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio.  The winner of the award will be notified prior to June 25,2005 and will be handed a check to the amount of UD$25,000**at the meeting closing banquet.  Nike will pay the registration, transportation (economy class) and accommodation costs for the winner to attend the meeting.  These costs will be reimbursed if the winner has already made arrangements to attend the meeting.  In the event that the winner cannot attend the meeting, Nike will not cover these costs.

**The recipient of the prize will be responsible for all taxes payable on the award both in the US and in his/her country of residence.

Roadmap for dealing with awards at combined

ISB/ASB Congresses

 ISB Student Grant Update 2005

International Society of Biomechanics

Matching Dissertation Grant Report

Dear ISB readers!

We are very pleased to announce the winner of the Delsys Contest 2004 "Promoting Innovation in Electromyography".

The Delsys Contest was established in 2003 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Delsys, Inc., which has been proudly serving the needs of Electromyographers worldwide. Delsys is committed to fostering innovative applications in Electromyography and to providing novel EMG solutions.

The winning proposal was selected from a pool of 49 applicants for its innovativeness and creativity, by a committee consisting of five experts in the field of Electromyography.

The Contest winner will receive a complete Bagnoli-4 EMG system, EMGworks, and Dell Desktop Computer, a total value of $ 9,000.

The WINNER of the Delsys Contest is:

Professor Dr. F.C.T van der Helm

Delft University of Technology

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Delft, The Netherlands

“Estimation of Proprioceptive Reflex Gains using Surface EMG”

Honorable mention is given to two other proposals, which captured the Contest's spirit of Innovation:

Tobias Gerdin

P&I Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology

“Software Instrument Interfaced using Surface Electromyography”

Dr. William A. Sands

United States Olympic Committee

“EMG Helps Olympic Gymnastics Coaches Select Appropriate Lead-Up Drills and Skills for Still Rings”

Stay Tuned for next year

If you did not get a chance to participate this year, there will be a Delsys Contest 2005. The details of the contest will be announced June 10th and the deadline will be Oct 12th.

For complete information, please visit http://www.delsys.com

W. Lutz Bauer

University of Bremen

2004

The Fifth Australasian Biomechanics Conference. 

Dates: December  9-10, 2004

Venue: The University of New South Wales, Kensington.

Information: E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..au

2005

Movement Analysis 2005 – Building Bridges

Dates: February 3-5, 2005

Venue: Auckland, New Zealand

Informantion: See website: www.movement-analysis.com/Auckland_2005/

The 13th International Congress on Physical Education & Sport

Dates: May 20-22, 2005

Venue: Komotini, Greece

Information: See website:

http://www.phyed.duth.gr/icpes2005/

ISPGR XVII International Society for Postural

and Gait Research

Dates: May 29 – June 2

Venue:Marseille, France.

Information:

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See website: http://www.ispgr.org

NASPSPA 2005 Conference

Dates: June 9-11, 2005

Venue: St. Pete's Beach in Florida

Information:

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conference Program Chair: fischmg@auburn.edu

See website: www.naspspa.org

The 9th World Multi-

Conference on Systemics,

Cybernetics and Informatics

Dates: July 10-13, 2005

Venue: Orlando, Florida, USA

Information: See web-site:

www.iiisci.org/sci2005

ISB XX

International Society of Biomechanics Congress

Dates: August 1-5, 2005

Venue: Cleveland, Ohio, USA 

Information:

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See website: http://www.ISB2005.org

ISSP 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology

Dates: August 15 – 19, 2005

Venue: Sydney , Australia

Information:

See website: www.issp2005.com

APCST 2005

Asia-Pacific Congress on Sports Technology -

Dates: September 12-14, 2005

Venue: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Information:

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See website: www.astaonline.com.au

First International Conference on Mechanics of Biomaterials & Tissues

Dates: December 11-14, 2005

Venue: Waikoloa, Hawai’I, USA

Information: See web-site:

www.icmobt.elsevier.com

2006

NASPSPA 2006 Conference

For this conference, we will join with the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dates: June 1-3, 2006

Venue: Denver, Colorado.

5th World Congress of

Biomechanics

Dates: 29 July – 4 August, 2006.

Venue: Munich, Germany

Information:

Email: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.

Dieter Liepsch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See website: http://www.wcb2006.org

AnyBody simulates the mechanics of the human body. It computes forces in individual muscles, joint forces, elastic energy in tendons, antagonistic muscle actions, and many other useful properties of the working human body.

AnyBody can handle models with hundreds of muscles on ordinary personal computers. This ability alone makes AnyBody unique.

AnyBody models are stored in clear text in the powerful body modelling language AnyScript^TM. This lets you import, modify, and extend a comprehensive public domain library of models with more than 500 muscle units developed by several research groups. The system also lets you develop your own models of cats, fish, horses, or dinosaurs.

AnyBody models not just the body, but also the objects it interfaces to; the seat and the crank mechanism of a bicycle, the backrest and foot support of a chair, the steering wheel and gearshift of a car. With AnyBody, you can investigate the ergonomic consequences of design parameters in detail.

You can call AnyBody from an optimization routine such as Matlab and use the system to do ergonomic optimization or identify unknown movement patterns; you are actually able to predict how your dinosaur model will jump.

AnyBody is self-contained and does not require any other software. Free demo licenses are available. Demo licenses have full functionality but a limited duration. For more information, please visit www.anybodytech.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

AnyBody Technology A/S   •   Niels Jernes Vej  10  •    DK-9220 Aalborg East   •   Denmark

Tel: +45 9635 4286   •   Fax: +45 9635 4599

By the time your read this message you should have received your 2005 Membership renewal notice by e-mail. If not, then it will be because we don’t have your current e-mail address recorded in the on-line database (www.isbmem.org). Please help us by keeping your contact details up-to-date. If you have difficulties with on-line access, then contact the Treasurer (contact details on front cover).

      Graeme