June 2023

I am sure we all should be now involved in promotion and arrangements for the ‘DEI’, Diversity Equity & Inclusion. In medicine, in research, in education. ISB is fully committed in providing opportunities to every student and young researcher, with international connections, funding, events and awards. We particularly support those in EDC. We are careful to get speakers and awardees balanced in terms of gender, geography, career, discipline, age. We have established recently a Code of Conduct for ISB members, where cooperation, inclusivity, integrity, responsibility, ethics, reputation, honesty, dignity, forthright, understanding, credibility, tolerance, professionality, support, respect are all explicitly reported as requirements to all members; in addition, conflicts and any misbehaviour are banned and disciplined.

But diversity may deserve a special consideration. I’m really enjoying these days reading Steven Johnson's book “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Seven Patterns of Innovation”, where key principles supposed to drive force of creativity are proposed and discussed. Starting from real life observations, about reef, city, and web, from our knowledge in biology, sociology, human evolution and in many other areas of science, the following seven conditions have been fundamental to favour progresses in science and technology, as he calls: the adjacent possible, liquid networks, the slow hunch, serendipity, error, exaptation, and platforms. Apparently, inspiration, originality, innovation, and even patents start and grow better in open space, where thoughts and ideas are shared and can be transmitted freely. In modern cities, the more were the connections the more were the patents registered. Good ideas need to get connected, melted, mixed up; frequently these recombine originally current or even past concepts. I’ve got amazed to learn how many fundamental techniques and devices have resulted from chats with colleagues from totally different disciplines (good for scientists to have a large spectrum of interests ... and of friends), how many inventions were devised when something else was searched, how many fundamental observations and results were achieved by erroneous experiments, how a connected 'hive mind' is smarter than the lone thinker, how a slow hunch can be much more valuable than a Eureka moment, how many brilliant ideas were fund in unexplored areas of science, how best thoughts can come from building on the ideas and inventions of others. Of course we all have our research programs and plans, but may be somehow, 'an unexpected event is the only hope' as the Italian poet Eugenio Montale wrote.

Thus also the search for answers to ‘re-search’ questions can certainly benefits from diversity. As I was told, diversity derives from the Latin root "diversus", meaning "various", but also, as a secondary sense, "difference, diversity" "turned different ways". We have now at the meeting in Fukuoka a wonderful chance to experience how diversity, both as various and different, can result in new topics, studies and collaborations, and how even the ISB society itself can benefit from this. Additionally, we are experiencing these weeks our elections, which is about to select various members who will drive our society over the next two years.

This is my last Blog. It has been truly a great honour to share with you all my thoughts and experiences. I wish Elizabeth Clarke (and the new Council) a stimulating and enriching experience as I definitely had; she will certainly achieve additional great progresses for ISB, and will take us to a more modern, international, passionate, and inspiring community able to address and to handle all of the challenges in front of us.

Hope to see you all in Japan!

Alberto Leardini

ISB President

We are proud to share the news that Prof. Irene Davis has been awarded the 2023 ISB Muybridge Award winner and will deliver a lecture titled "Born to Move: Embracing our Evolutionary Legacy"

Dr. Irene Davis is the founding Director of the Spaulding National Running Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Davis received her PhD in Biomechanics from Pennsylvania State University. She is a Professor Emeritus in Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware where she served on the faculty for over 20 years. Her research is focused on the relationship between lower extremity structure, mechanics and injury. Her research also extends to the development of interventions to alter faulty mechanics through gait retraining. She has been studying the use of wearable sensors in both the evaluation and treatment of injured runners. Her interests also include the effect of minimal footwear on mechanics and injury. Dr. Davis has received funding from the Department of Defense, and National Institutes of Health to support her research. She has given over 350 lectures both nationally and internationally and authored 140 publications on the topic of lower extremity mechanics during walking and running gait. She was recently named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Running. She is a Fellow and Past President of the American Society of Biomechanics. She is also a Fellow, Vice President and current Presidential nominee of the American College of Sports Medicine and a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association. In 2019 Dr. Irene Davis received the most prestigious honor given by the American Society of Biomechanics, the Borelli Award.

Irene Davis’ research has been instrumental in the advancement of biomechanics, especially in the fields of running, locomotion and footwear. She has an exceptional international network and reputation for her productivity and scientific excellence. She will be presenting the Muybridge Award lecture at the XXIX Congress of the ISB in Fukuoka on the 1^st August. Please attend to be part of this occasion.

fukuoka frontpage

Join us for an enlightening and inspiring experience at the upcoming ISB-JSB2023! This year's program features renowned invited speakers, engaging symposiums, diverse oral and poster presentations, and interactive workshops that will challenge and invigorate your thinking. Explore the latest developments in biomechanics, network with peers and experts from around the world, and discover new ideas and approaches that will shape the future of academia. With a diverse range of topics and perspectives, this program promises to be a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Don't miss out on this exciting event - register now to secure your place and be a part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Day 1 (July 30th, Sunday) will start with four 'hands-on style' workshops prior to the opening ceremony.

Each workshop sheds light on analytical techniques which were worrisome problems in the field of biomechanics. After the opening ceremony, an exciting Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture entitled "Pioneering Women of ISB: Tales from the Archives and Beyond" will be delivered by Dr. Julie Steele (Emeritus Professor, University of Wollongong, AUS) at the Main hall. Day 1 will be closed with Welcome Reception at the congress venue.

Day 2 (July 31st, Monday) will start with a variety of oral sessions (Room #2-#8) and symposiums (Main Hall).

Then, the first keynote lecture of ISB-JSB2023, entitled 'Animals as Machines: Robotic Approaches to Understanding Comparative Locomotor Mechanics,' will be delivered by Dr. Bill Sellers (Professor, The University of Manchester, U.K.) in the morning (Main Hall at 9:40-10:30 AM). After the lunch break, the special program ’ISB 50th Anniversary Symposium' will be organized. We will have an opportunity to remember and re-learn from the lectures by the pioneers of Biomechanics about the historical perspectives of each research theme as well as the founding ISB. The Anniversary Symposium will continue after the afternoon coffee break, with transferring the theme from historical perspectives to the future directions. Several cutting-edge researchers will deliver their state-of-the-art technologies and creativity for biomechanical studies. We hope this symposium stimulates attendees' intellectual curiosity and explore new perspectives. After a 90-min poster session, Day 2 will be closed with the Workshop of Advancing Women in Biomechanics (AWB) in room 7 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

Day 3 (August 1st, Tuesday) consists of must-see two lectures, symposiums, and oral and poster sessions.

In the morning session, a keynote lecture by Dr. Sukyung (Sue) Park (Professor, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KAIST, KOR) will be delivered (Main Hall at 9:40-10:30 AM). Her lecture's title is 'Complementary Roles of Biomechanics and Machin Learning in Human Motion Monitoring.' In the afternoon session (from 3:10-4:10 PM), the Muybridge Award lecture "Born to Move: Embracing our Evolutionary Legacy " will be delivered by Professor Irene S. Davis (Professor, The University of South Florida, USA) in Main Hall (at 1:30-2:30 PM). Day 3 provides two social activities for student attendees, such as ISB Student-Mentor Lunch and Student-Night Out (sponsored by Vicon Motion Systems). The student night out will be on the 1st of August (Day 3) at ONE DROP bar in the Tenjin area. We will meet at the conference venue and walk to the bar together (~30min walk). Drinks will be provided for the first two hours of the event. If you are a student attendee, don't miss out (registration is required)! We are also happy to inform you that the Japanese Society of Biomechanics (JSB) will organize a 'JSB-Night Out' for other attendees this evening. They will announce more details soon!

Day 4 (August 2nd, Wednesday) has oral and poster sessions and two keynote lectures from morning to evening.

In the morning (Main Hall, 9:40-10:30 AM), Dr. Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting (Professor, University of Freiburg, GER) will deliver her keynote lecture, entitled 'Brain-Computer Interface Design: Thinking out of the box.' On Day 4 afternoon, Dr. Peter Weyand (Professor, Southern Methodist University, USA.) will present his keynote lecture, entitled ''The Mechanics of Running Fast and Jumping High: from Small Differences in Ground Force to Big Differences in Performance' in Main Hall (1:30-2:20 PM). Please enjoy the restaurants, bars, and night view in the most charming and warmhearted city, Fukuoka after all sessions will be ended up on Day 4.

Finally, on Day 5 (August 3rd, Thursday), we will wrap up the congress program with a series of symposiums and oral sessions.

The day will start with a morning keynote lecture 'Designing Treatment Strategies for Large Skeletal Defects by Combining in Silico, in Vitro and in Vivo models' by Dr. Liesbet Geris (Professor, The University of Liège and KU Leuven, BEL) in Main Hall (9:40-10:30 AM). To be perfect for the finale, Dr. Alberto Leardini (IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, ITA) will present as ISB President Lecture in Main Hall (at 1:30-2:20 PM) followed by Award Presentations and Closing Ceremony. The Gala Dinner will be held in Nakasu Kawabata Shopping Arcade!

The full program is available here, along with the name of the invited speakers.

We are confident that this congress program will be a valuable and enriching experience for everyone involved. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hiroaki Hobara

Hiroyuki Nunome

As you all know, the ISB is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foundation. Among the numerous actions and events around this celebration, we are pleased to announce two special sessions aiming at providing an overview of the contribution of the society to the development of our discipline as well as of the future perspectives and challenges.

Warm thanks to the distinguished scientists who have accepted to contribute to these sessions.

We are also grateful to the Fukuoka Congress Organizing Committee for their assistance and flexibility with this organization.

Please see below details about each session and join us for this cellebration!

The specific date and time for each session will be advertise soon.

Session 1 - ISB 50 Years of International Biomechanics: History
Historical perspective of the founding of ISB	Joe Hamill (USA), Benno Nigg (Canada)
History of the JSB-ISB relationship	Mitsumasa Miyashita (Japan)
Muscle mechanics	Walter Herzog (Canada)
Sports biomechanics and modeling	Jill McNitt Gray (USA)
Human motion and Gait analysis	John Challis (USA), Brian Davis (USA)
Neuromechanics	Daniel Hahn (Germany), Catherine Disselhorst-Klug (Germany)
Birthday cake
Session 2 - ISB 50 Years of International Biomechanics: Future
Muscles Alive-how far have we come since then?	Yasuo Kawakami (Japan)
New perspectives in tendon biomechanics	Taija FInni (Finland)
The future of Gait analysis and Human motion analysis	To be announced
Neuromusculoskeletal biomechanical modeling and Neuromechanics	To be announced
The digital human and artificial intelligence	Mitsunori Tada (Japan)
Internet of things and remote monitoring, field monitoring	Kamiar Aminian (Switzerland)
Data, privacy and the future	Jacqueline Alderson (Australia)

The ISB 2023 conference in Fukuoka, Japan, is not far off anymore. I hope you have already registered and signed up for the student events. If not, it’s not too late yet, but please make sure to register before the deadline!

We are happy to provide two social activities only for students as below:

ISB Student-Mentor Lunch

An ISB student-mentor lunch will be organized for you to meet a mentor and chat about academic, professional, and career-related topics during the ISB conference. Please bring the lunch box to the dedicated room.

Student-Night Out (sponsored by Vicon Motion Systems)

The student night out will be on the 1st of August (Day 3) at ONE DROP bar in the Tenjin area. We will meet at the conference venue and walk to the bar together (~30min walk). Drinks will be provided for the first two hours of the event.

To participate in these events, registration is essential. Please register yourself clicking here.

Further information and the registration link can be found here

For any questions, please contact our student representative: Anja-Verena Behling [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]

ISB would like to share the announcement of an international symposium organized in Tokyo (Waseda University, by Yasuo Kawakami) just before the Fukuoka Conference, which may be of interest to our members. The event is organized by the Human Performance Laboratory and Comprehensive Research Organization - Waseda University and will take place on July 27, 2023 (Thursday), from 10:20 am to 5:30 pm at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo, Japan. Please see below for details about the program.

Program

10:20 – 10:40 h: Human performance transcendence: An approach from sport science, engineering, and medicine - Yasuo Kawakami (Faculty of Sport Sciences & Human Performance Lab., Waseda University, Japan)

10:40 – 11:05 h: Humanoid robots mimicking humans' anatomical and functional features - Takuya Otani (Faculty of Science and Engineering & Human Performance Lab., Waseda University, Japan)

11:10 – 11:35 h: Multiscale modeling to predict progression of knee osteoarthritis - Amir Esrafilian (Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland)

11:35 – 12:00 h: Finite Element Analysis used in the biomechanical studies of internal fixation of fractures in lower extremities - Harvey Hu (Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Biomechanical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China)

12:00 – 13:00 h: Lunch Break

13:00 – 13:25 h: Moving single fingers requires co-contraction - Huub Maas (Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

13:25 – 13:50 h: Effect of aging and exercise habits on morphological property of human deep fascia - Shun Otsuka (Department of Anatomy, Aichi Medical University & Human Performance Lab., Waseda University, Japan)

13:55 – 14:20 h: Unique shape of human biceps femoris aponeurosis: in vivo and in situ findings - Carmela Julia Mantecón Tagarro (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan & Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

14:20 – 14:45 h: Beyond the sagittal plane: In vivo quantification of human skeletal muscle 3D structure by diffusion tensor imaging - Katsuki Takahashi (Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Doshisha University, Japan)

14:45 – 15:00 h: Coffee Break

15:00 – 15:25 h: Subjective and objective evaluations of sitting-induced sustained lowintensity muscle fatigue - Hui Lyu (International School of Design, Zhejiang University, China)

15:25 – 15:50 h: Near-infrared spectroscopy for in vivo measurement of human musculoskeletal tissue properties - Adam Kositsky (Department of Technicasl Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland)

15:55 – 16:20 h: Eccentric exercise and muscle damage in the lower limb – muscle protection and adaptation - Patricio Pincheira Miranda (School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences & School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia)

16:20 – 16:45 h: The effect of chronic joint constraints on the neural control of gait - Carlos Cruz Montecinos (Departmento de Kinesiologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Chile, Chile)

16:45 - 17:30 h: Discussion & Lab Tour

Networking Party (18:00 - 20:00, venue TBA)

For more information and registration, please contact the Human Performance Laboratory, Waseda University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The American Society of Biomechanics is inviting the ISB community to participate in the following activities planned for 2023!

ASB Annual Meeting

Knoxville, TN, USA

August 8 - 11, 2023

The ASB Annual Meeting brings together academic researchers, clinicians, scientists, students, and industry professionals involved in biomechanics research and clinical use, to review the present state of the field, address key issues critical to further progress, and promote the education and participation of young researchers.  This meeting should, like its predecessors, contribute greatly to biomechanics research and development.

Knoxville, Tennessee, is a nature loving, adventure seeking, artsy kinda meeting place. With a historic old city full of unique shops, 80+ restaurants, art galleries, breweries and more, there is something for everyone.

More details, including registration, are available at https://asbweb.org/asb-2023/

ASB Regional Meeting

Great Plains Biomechanics Meeting

6/5/2023 – 6/6/2023: Omaha, NE, USA [VISIT WEBSITE]

Midwest Regional Meeting of the ASB

9/20/2023 – 9/21/2023: Cleveland, OH, USA [VISIT WEBSITE]

ASB Online Students Events

Student Author AMA (Ask-Me-Anything) Series, a series of online events by and for students

The AMA (Ask-Me-Anything) series features students that have recently published a paper talking to other students about their research and sharing their experience with the publishing process. All are welcomed to attend the AMA Series. There are no fees to participate but participants must register to attend. Online events are held on a monthly basis. Visit the website to see upcoming events.

Student Professional Development Series

This series of workshops feature students, post-docs, faculty, and industry partners who will discuss topics chosen by the ASB Student Committee. Topics will include navigating career choices post-graduation, managing work/life balance, and finding/applying for funding opportunities. We intend to schedule a bi-monthly Professional Development event. All are welcomed to attend the Professional Development series. There are no fees to participate but participants must register to attend. Details on each upcoming event as well as recordings of past events are available on the website.

The South African Society of Biomechanics is inviting all ISB members to join the 3rd Conference of the South African Society of Biomechanics

The 3rd Annual Conference of the South African Society of Biomechanics is taking place this year on September 11th and 12th at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This conference promises to be a transformative experience for our community.

Under the theme "From Collaboration to Transformation: Empowering our community" our conference will kick off with a full day of insightful research presentations. We are honoured to have prof. Felipe Carpes from the Federal University of Pampa, Brazil, as one of our esteemed Keynote Speaker for the first day. On the second day, we have a dedicated workshop titled "South African Society of Biomechanics 3D Motion Capture Standardisation Workshop" This workshop aims to bring together all biomechanics labs in South Africa, fostering collaboration and advancing the capabilities of our laboratories. By promoting standardization and the adoption of best practices in motion capture protocols, we strive to create a seamless transfer of knowledge and skills between labs, regardless of the motion analysis system used.

The conference will be an incredible opportunity to network with leading experts, engage in cutting-edge discussions, and contribute to the advancement of biomechanics in South Africa. Mark your calendars for September 11th and 12th, and join us in Port Elizabeth for a conference that will empower our community and drive positive transformation.

For more information please visit our website at https://biomechsa.org/sasb-2023-conference/

The Brazilian Society of Biomechanics is sharing the main outcomes of the XX Brazilian Congress of Biomechanics, which took place in Brazil last April.

The XX BCB was able to bring together over 300 participants, making it a resounding success last April in Brazil. It was the first edition of the congress after the coronavirus pandemic was controlles and the face to face events were allowed again in Brazil. The Congress featured a remarkable program, with 217 abstracts presented by researchers from various disciplines. You can read the book of abstract published online as a supplement in the Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior. The scientific sessions were enriched by the presence of 18 invited speakers, both from Brazil and abroad. Thanks to the funding of ISB, we had the privilege of welcoming Prof. Dr. Alberto Larding, the President of ISB, who delivered an exceptional keynote addressing the role of ISB recommendations for kinematics analysis.

The best research abstracts from each field were recognized and awarded, highlighting the contributions made by researchers across different areas of biomechanics. Furthermore, the "WALTER HERZOG" AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOW IN BIOMECHANICS was presented for the second time, recognizing the exceptional work of talented undergraduate researchers. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the BCB, the ISB POSTGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS were introduced to honor the top abstracts presented by post-graduate students. The three best presentations were awarded a financial prize by the ISB, further motivating and encouraging the next generation of biomechanics researchers.

On behalf of the XX BCB organizing committee, we extend our appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the Congress. We express our gratitude to the ISB for their support and the invaluable role in making the XX BCB a memorable event. We invite all the ISB community to join on next congress, the XXI Brazilian Congress of Biomechanics in 2025, which will happen in the city of Juazeiro, Bahia.

With sincere thanks,

Fábio A Barbieri

Congresso chairperson

The Polish Society of Biomechanics ius inviting all ISB community to join the BIOMECHANICS 2023 Congress in Poland.

On behalf of the Polish Society of Biomechanics, I am pleased to inform you about the upcoming International Conference of the Polish Society of Biomechanics, "BIOMECHANICS 2023," which will take place in Wrocław, Poland, from September 13th to 16th. You can find more information about the conference at our website: https://biomechanics2023.pwr.edu.pl/

We would also like to announce that the deadline for abstract submissions has been extended to July 12th. If you haven't submitted your abstract yet, there's still time! Please visit our submission page for more details: https://biomechanics2023.pwr.edu.pl/?page_id=1038.

In addition to the conference, we are also organizing workshops as part of the event. These workshops will provide a valuable opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with experts in the field. You can find more information about the workshops at: https://biomechanics2023.pwr.edu.pl/?page_id=1407.

We look forward to your participation in BIOMECHANICS 2023. It promises to be an enriching and inspiring event for the biomechanics community.

Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

With kind regards,

Małgorzata Syczewska

ISB Now June 2023

President's Blog

ISB is honoured to announce Irene Davis as the recipient of the 2023 Muybridge Award

ISB 2023 Congress: updates

ISB 50th Anniversary sessions at the ISB-JSB Congress in Fukuoka

Students corner: plans for Fukuoka!

International Symposium on Human Movement Studies: From Perspectives of Sport Science, Engineering, and Medicine

News from Affiliate Societies: American Society of Biomechanics

News from Affiliate Societies: South African Society of Biomechanics

News from Affiliate Societies: Brazilian Society of Biomechanics

News from Affiliate Societies: Polish Society of Biomechanics