The biomechanics community from South America is working hard to the development of diverse activities related to biomechanics. This effort happens despite the difficult conditions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic in the different countries of the continent. There are many activities proposed, and a good side of the pandemic was the opportunity to bring different scientists together, expand the cooperation, and narrow new connections. On the other hand, the various South American countries face challenges regarding delayed vaccination plans. For most of the cases, teaching and research activities remain in a remote configuration. Here I summarize some of the recent news from South America the main upcoming events.
I-FAB 2021
A highlight at the beginning of 2021 is the I-FAB 2021 congress starting on April 11 and organized by Professor Isabel Sacco and her team. The main objective of the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Meeting is to promote interactions between people interested in foot and ankle biomechanics, and to connect areas that may not traditionally have a strong biomechanical component. You still have time to join the event. Visit https://www.i-fab2021.com to register. I-FAB 2021 will be a three-day scientific program with an exciting schedule. The congress chair, Professor Isabel Sacco from the University of São Paulo and the team of organizers are looking forward to welcoming you! Don’t miss this opportunity and consider that by joining the event, you will also be supporting the South America development in Biomechanics, helping to create new connections and opportunities.
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Brazil
Following up on my last report, I would like to invite you to learn about the “Brazilian Biomechanics Experience”, a partnership of the Brazilian Society of Biomechanics and The Biomechanics Initiative (http://thebiomechanicsinitiative.org) to promoting biomechanics popularization among high school students. With more than 130 participants, the event can be watched on the Brazilian Society of Biomechanics YouTube channel https://youtu.be/bvXiOBKfv4k without previous registration. At least three high school students will receive funding to participate in the XIX Brazilian Congress of Biomechanics this year. As mentioned in my last report, the XIX Brazilian Congress of Biomechanics goes virtual in 2021. The congress website has been launched, and I invite everyone to visit www.cbb2021.com.br and learn more about the program and the invited speakers https://www.cbb2021.com.br/palestrantes/ and why not submit an abstract. The deadline for submission is June 30. It is also important to mention that the III Latin American Meeting of Biomechanics and the XI Symposium on Applied Neuromechanics are also part of the congress program. Registration fees were made at a minimal value to cover the congress expenses and facilitate the participation of many participants from different countries.
Uruguay
In the Universidad de la República from Uruguay, the biomechanics group promotes different activities for research and development. Renata Bona from the Laboratory of Biomechanics and Movement Analysis recently received a national funding to study pregnancy and posture. The application was successful in a highly competitive federal grant, and the funded research will combine biomechanics and physiology approaches to the study of motor adaptations during pregnancy. Her research was also highlighted in Uruguay's national media by a mention in a national newspaper (link 1). In the same university, on April 13-16 happens the course “Instrumentation and rehabilitation pre- and post-ACL reconstruction” (link 2). In this event, professors from the Universidade de la República will host international invited speakers, including Professor Nicola Maffiuletti (Human Performance Lab. Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Suiza) and Leonardo Tartaruga (Mechanics & Energetics of Locomotion, UFRGS, Brazil) to discuss recent advances in ACL rehabilitation. For more information, please visit www.nib.fmed.edu.uy. Clinical biomechanics is also the main topic of a course dedicated to biomechanics applications in assessing athletes. The course is fully virtual and involves discussions about energetics and mechanics of human movements, metabolic cost, mechanical work, and efficiency; relevant parameters for clinical assessments and/or analyzing sports performance (link 3). The course is coordinated by Renata Bona y Gabriel Fabrica, with the collaboration of Carlo Biancardi and Artur Bonezi.
Colombia
The Universidade del Vale has announced a master's program in physiotherapy with particular attention to the research in human movement biomechanics (link 4). According to Professor Lessby Gomez, the program coordinator, the students enrolled in the program will develop research projects on human movement sciences in biomechanics, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, neurorehabilitation, and physical activity and health. This is a pioneer course in the region and has been celebrated by the university, academic staff, and professionals. Read more: https://www.univalle.edu.co/salud/maestria-en-fisioterapia-de-univalle-pionera-en-la-region/#
Chile
The new directory board of the Chilean Association of Movement Sciences (ACCM) was elected last November. The new board of directors is composed by:
President: Pablo Burgos, PT, PhD.
Vice President: Wilson Pastén, PT, MSc.
Secretary: Ana Salazar, SLP.
Assistant Secretary: Felipe Covarrubias, PT, MSc.
Treasurer: Gabriel Araya, PT, MSc.
Assistant Treasurer: Andrea Lira, PT.
On January 21, 2021, happened the first meeting of the directory board. The annual report, challenges, and the yearly plan of the association were discussed. The III Congress of the Chilean Association of Movement Sciences (ACCM) was announced and will happen in the second semester of 2021. Further details will come soon.
Felipe P Carpes - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
