September 2025

Table of Contents

• President's Blog

  • President's Blog

• Student's Corner

  • Updates from the Student Representative
  • ISB Student Grant News

• Biomechanics Through Time

  • A Brief History of the Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture

• Affiliate Societies News

  • Affiliated Societies Update

• Technical Groups and Initiatives News

  • Comparative Neuromuscular Biomechanics Technical Group (CNB) updates
  • International Women in Biomechanics: wikibomb initiative update
  • Data Sharing and Kinematic Standardisation: Stockholm 2025

• ISB Congress News

  • ISB Awards 2025
  • Congress photos: Stockholm 2025
  • Expressions of Interest to Host the XXXII ISB Congress in 2029

• Around The World

  • Asia: upcoming biomechanics meetings
  • South America: upcoming biomechanics meetings

• ISB Executive Council

  • ISB Executive Council 2025-2027
  • Greetings from the IDEA Officer
  • Greetings from the Publication Officer

President's Blog

This is my first ISB President's blog, and I would like to use this space to share a little of my journey to this position. As with everything, there is a story behind it. I like histories, and hope you like too.

When I started my PhD program in 2006, Prof. Marco Vaz introduced me and other students to the ISB. I decided it was important to join the society. I even nominated myself for the position of student representative. While I was not elected, the following year I applied for an ISB Student Travel Grant, which funded three months of research at the University of Calgary in 2008 under the supervision of Prof. Darren Stefanyshyn. I think I still have somewhere in my office Prof. Brian Davis's handwritten note wishing me good luck with the trip, tucked alongside the travel check I received by mail. To the best of my knowledge, it was the first time a Brazilian student had received an ISB travel grant (perhaps even the first time one had applied).

During ISB 2013 in Natal, I participated in a workshop to discuss strategies for developing biomechanics in economically developing countries. I have very special memories of that activity and of the people I met there. In just a few hours, I learned so much listening to Prof. Andrea Hemmerich lead a debate on strategic planning, hearing about a project just starting in India from Rajani Kanade that has since grown into an institution now celebrating its 10th anniversary, and talking with Prof. Veronique Feipel, who wanted to learn everything possible about biomechanics activities in Brazil and South America. I also had a conversation with Prof. Ton van den Bogert, who mentioned his interest in nominating me for the ISB Executive Council. That was surprising, but changed everything.

Ten years ago, I was elected to the ISB Executive Council, and since then I have had the privilege of serving continuously. At ISB 2025 in Stockholm, I received the famous gavel that symbolizes the ISB presidency. Curious about this tradition, I asked Prof. John Challis about its origins. He told me that the gavel was not used at the founding meeting of ISB in 1973, but that it was first used at the 1975 congress likely introduced with Dick's well-known sense of humor.

But what should you expect from this new president? I am far from being considered a scientific reference point. My research focuses on educating students, helping them learn the importance of science and collaboration. Sometimes this results in published articles, but often it results in rejected manuscripts. Still, being a scientific reference is not only about publications - that part can actually be the easiest, I am sorry to say. The true challenge is using our experience to contribute to the global development of biomechanics. I am confident that not only I, but our entire current Executive Council, inaugurated in Stockholm, is ready to embrace this role, bringing diverse experiences and ambitious goals.

I come from a country where Carnival is the most anticipated celebration of the year, and from a continent that has faced challenges yet continually demonstrates resilience, creativity, and warmth. These qualities inspire me to encourage more colleagues to contribute actively and to help us build a future for biomechanics that is collaborative, inclusive, and innovative.

More than just reading this wonderful ISB Now issue, I hope more people realize the importance and impact of the ISB - not only for the development of science, but for people around the world. I am deeply grateful to everyone I have worked with in recent years, and I look forward to collaborating with a great team of elected Council members in the years ahead. Yes, I am nervous, and yes, I will face many challenges, but I know I am not alone. Our society is the largest biomechanics society in the world. So, let's make it happen together!

Never forget: when you become a member of a society like ISB, you are much more than just a name on a membership list. You are part of the actions we take - actions that truly change lives worldwide, creating opportunities for professionals and students, for institutions, and for communities alike.

I count on your support so we can do even more.

Renew your membership, or join us by becoming a member today at isbweb.org

Felipe Carpes

ISB President

Federal University of Pampa, Brazil

Back to Table of Contents

Updates from the Student Representative

Hello everyone! My name is Elisa Romero Avila, and I'm excited to introduce myself as the new ISB Student Representative and Social Media Officer for 2025-2027. I am currently pursuing my PhD at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

First, I would like to thank Shaye Tiell for the amazing work she has done as Student Representative over the past two years. I'm sure you all enjoyed the student night out and benefited from the student-mentor lunch she organized. These events brought together more than 400 students! A big thank as well to the ISB, Qualisys and Visit Stockholm for sponsoring the student night out.

In the upcoming weeks, I will be sharing a student survey to get to know our community and to help guide future initiatives, such as workshops, networking opportunities, and student-focused events.

In the meantime, here's a look at upcoming events from our Affiliate Societies, along with jobs and opportunities you might find interesting.

Upcoming events:

Jobs and Positions:

1. Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Robotics/Biomechanics at LMGC, University of Montpellier, France
2. PhD Position (Spring/Fall 2026) in Biomechanics and Exoskeleton at New Jersey Institute of Technology
3. Baseball Operations Entry Level Opportunities - Toronto Blue Jays
4. M.S./Ph.D. and visiting scholar positions open at ZFAI, Hangzhou, China
5. Motion Analysis Center Physical Therapist-Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX

For more information on jobs, you can always check Biomch-L Jobs Forum , where new positions are posted regularly. If you are based in Germany, the German Society of Biomechanics also maintains an updated job board.

I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and working together to strengthen the ISB student community. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out with comments, questions, suggestions, or simply to connect. You can contact me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In addition to email, an ISB Student Channel has been created in Biomch-L. This space is dedicated to sharing your thoughts, ideas, questions, experiences, and to connect with fellow students in biomechanics.

Together, let's make the most of the next two years and build a strong, supportive, and fun student community!

All the best,

Elisa Romero Avila

ISB Student Representative

Update on Communication Channels

To strengthen our connection with the community, we are streamlining our social media presence. We will no longer be active on X (Twitter) or in the ISB LinkedIn Group.

Our official communication channels are now:

• LinkedIn Page
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Biomech-L

We invite you to follow us on these platforms to stay informed about the latest news, events, and opportunities.

Back to Table of Contents

ISB Student Grant News

September is the time to start planning your 2026 ISB student grant submissions! The Matching Dissertation Grant, International Travel Grant and International Affiliate Development Grant will be the first set of grant applications due with a deadline of January 31, 2026. These long-standing student grants offer support to grow your research toolbox and network with a visit to a lab in another country, as well as support the completion of your dissertation project. Don't miss out and talk with your advisor right away!

*Friendly reminder* : you and your advisor must be active financial members of the ISB to participate in these grant programs. Don't forget to renew your membership for 2026!

We would like to take this time to congratulate all recipients of ISB Student Grant Awards for the previous application cycle (2024-2025)!

International Travel Grant

• Robert Chauvet, University of Calgary
  Project Title: Statistical Shape Modelling in Ankle Osteoarthritis
  
  
• Roos Gretha Afra Duijn, University of Groningen
  Project Title: Elbow Biomechanics of the Jackman and Tire Changer During a Pit Stop
  
  
• Zachary Flahaut, University of Ottawa
  Project Title: Assessment and Validation of MoRe-lab Aerobic Fitness and Muscular Endurance Protocols
  
  
• Markus Gambietz, Friedrich-Alexander-Universit&aumlt
  Project Title: Rapid Accessible Musculoskeletal Model Personalization - An MRI Validation Study
• Chengxiang Liu, University of Groningen
  Project Title: User-Centered Optimization of Speed Adaptation Control for Prosthetic Knee Joints
• Vitor Guarda Munari, Federal University of Santa Catarina
  Project Title: Unpacking Nordic Walking in Knee Osteoarthritis: Energetics, Biomechanics, and Perceived Effort
• Carlos Sendra Pérez, University of Valencia
  Project Title: Biomechanics Facts Explaining Physiological Demands in Cycling

International Affiliate Development Grant

• R. Yogeshwar Rao, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
  Project Title: Testing & Validation of the BiOME Artificial Knee Joint Model at the IORT Joint Simulator Lab
• Isadora Miotto Soldatelli, Federal University of Santa Maria
  Project Title: Knee Joint Stiffness and Eccentric Control as Predictors of Jump Height in Children Following ACL Reconstruction
• Heinrich Leon Souza Viera, Federal University of Santa Maria
  Project Title: Mechanical and Structural Changes of Skeletal Muscles in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Matching Dissertation Grant

• Montgomery Bertschy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  Project Title: Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying the Metabolic Effects of Footwear Cushioning
• Jorie Budzikowski, Northwestern University
  Project Title: Does Biceps Muscle-tendon Unit Adaptation Differentiate Outcomes of SLAP Lesion Surgical Repairs?
• Soyoung Lee, Boston University
  Project Title: Cortical Function, Gait Automaticity, and Central Sensitization in People with Knee Osteoarthritis
• Walter Menke, University of Tennessee Knoxville
  Project Title: Effectiveness of Asymmetric Crank Lengths in Cycling for TKA Patients in Early Rehabilitation
• Jonaz Moreno Jaramillo, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  Project Title: Locomotor Adaptation Promoted by Changes in Surface Stiffness
• Ignas Palamarcukas, Nanyang Technological University
  Project Title: Does Isolated Knee or Hip Extension Strength Training Affect Kinetic Strategy and Performance in the Rear Foot-Elevated Split Squat?
• Cameron Stephen, Griffith University
  Project Title: Understanding the Mechanisms Driving Individual Responses to Advanced Footwear Technology
• Brittany Trotter, East Carolina University
  Project Title: Mobile Sensorimotor Integration Assessment Following Repetitive Sub-Concussive Loading
• Oscar Vila-Dieguez, University of Southern California
  Project Title: Mechanisms of Recovery in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Technical Group Travel Grant

• Denise Balogh, University of Saskatchewan
• Lauryn Campbell, University of Saskatchewan
• Ana Guiomar Cudell Santos Carvahlo, Delft University of Technology
• Jaylan Hamad, University of Victoria
• Kara-Lyn Harrison, University of Manitoba
• Ibrahim Hasan, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Matt Heindel, University of Southern California
• Cara Masterson, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health
• Justin Matties, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Guara Saini, University of Minnesota
• Quinn Yetman, Queen's University

Lastly, **Advisors and Postdocs** : We are recruiting grant reviewers for the 2026 ISB Student Awards! If you are interested in serving as a reviewer for the current grant cycle (2025-2026), please email the ISB Student Awards Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Full grant details and updated deadlines will be posted on the ISB website soon at https://isbweb.org/students/student-grants .

Erica Bell, PhD
ISB Executive Council Student Awards Officer

Back to Table of Contents

Biomechanics Through Time

Here, you will uncover historical information about the society. Enjoy these nuggets curated by John Challis, our Archives Officer.  

Traditionally the first presentation at each ISB Congress is the Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture. This lecture is named after the first president of the ISB, Jurg Wartenweiler (1915-1976). He organized The First International Seminar on Biomechanics in Zürich, Switzerland in 1967, which was the seed for our biennial ISB Congresses. This year the Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture was delivered by Walter Herzog (University of Calgary). Walter delivered a fabulous talk; it was also noteworthy that he had been taught by Jurg Wartenweiler.

The first Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture was delivered at the ISB 1977 Congress VI hosted in Copenhagen, Denmark. That lecture was delivered by Giovanni Cavagna (1934-2025), and was titled "Aspects of efficiency and inefficiency of terrestrial locomotion". The title gives a flavor of Professor Cavagna's research interest, although only hints at its breadth.

Professor Cavagna completed his medical degrees in 1957, at which time he was already engaged in research. His early research was on breathing and phonation (e.g., Giustina, Cavagna, & Libro, 1959; Margaria, Milic-Emili, Petit, & Cavagna, 1960; Cavagna & Margaria, 1965). In the 1960s he turned his attention to the biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of locomotion. His work on locomotion spawned many classic papers including: Mechanical work in running (Cavagna et al., 1964), and Mechanical work in terrestrial locomotion: Two basic mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure (Cavagna et al., 1977). His experiments included human subjects, monkeys, turkeys, dogs, rams, and kangaroos, and were not limited to the Earth and included papers on locomotion on the Moon (Margaria & Cavagna, 1967; Cavagna et al., 1972); and a paper in Nature determined the optimal speed of walking on Mars (Cavagna et al., 1998). Another paper in Nature explored the metabolic cost of the Luo and Kikuyu women carrying heavy loads on their heads, indicating little increase in cost for loads up to 20% of their body mass (Maloiy, Heglund, Prager, Cavagna, & Taylor, 1986).

With such a long career covering many areas, it is hard to provide an overview of all of Professor Cavagna's contributions. Here mention has not been made of his work on muscle including insights into the mechanisms via which muscle store energy and in turn aid locomotion (e.g., Cavagna, 1977). At the age of 83 he published a book on locomotion titled Physiological Aspects of Legged Terrestrial Locomotion, and two years later one titled Fundamentals of Human Physiology. His last published paper focused on the work required to overcome air resistance during walking or running in still air (Pecchiari, Legramandi, Gibertini, & Cavagna, 2023). This final work marks over 60 years of making contributions to the scientific literature. In 1977, when he was invited to deliver the Wartenweiler Memorial Lecture, one might have assumed he was nearing the midpoint of his scientific career. That assumption would have been mistaken, as he continued to publish for more than four decades thereafter.

References

• Cavagna, G. A. (1977). Storage and utilization of elastic energy in skeletal muscle. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 5(1), 89-129.
• Cavagna, G. (2017). Physiological Aspects of Legged Terrestrial Locomotion. New York, NY: Springer.
• Cavagna, G. (2019). Fundamentals of Human Physiology. New York, NY: Springer.
• Cavagna, G. A., Heglund, N. C., & Taylor, C. R. (1977). Mechanical work in terrestrial locomotion: Two basic mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure. American Journal of Physiology, 233(5), R243-261.
• Cavagna, G. A., & Margaria, R. (1965). An analysis of the mechanics of phonation. Journal of Applied Physiology, 20(2), 301-307.
• Cavagna, G. A., Saibene, F., & Maragaria, R. (1964). Mechanical work in running. Journal of Applied Physiology, 19(2), 249-256.
• Cavagna, G. A., Willems, P. A., & Heglund, N. C. (1998). Walking on Mars. Nature, 393(6686), 636-636.
• Cavagna, G. A., Zamboni, A., Faraggiana, T., & Margaria, R. (1972). Jumping on the moon: power output at different gravity values. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 43(4), 408-414.
• Giustina G, Cavagna G, & Libro D. (1959) Behavior of water-electrolyte balance in balance in compensated acute and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Archivio di Fisiologia. 59:173-81.
• Maloiy, G. M. O., Heglund, N. C., Prager, L. M., Cavagna, G. A., & Taylor, C. R. (1986). Energetic cost of carrying loads: have African women discovered an economic way? Nature, 319(6055), 668-669.
• Margaria, R., & Cavagna, G. A. (1967). Human locomotion on the moon surface. ivista di Medicina Aeronautica e Spaziale, 30(4), 629-644.
• Margaria, R., Milic-Emili, G., Petit, J. M., & Cavagna, G. (1960). Mechanical work of breathing during muscular exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 15(3), 354-358.
• Pecchiari, M. M., Legramandi, M. A., Gibertini, G., & Cavagna, G. A. (2023). Still air resistance during walking and running. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 290(2013), 20231763.

Back to Table of Contents

Affiliated Societies Update

South African Society of Biomechanics (SASB) Hosts 4th Conference

The South African Society of Biomechanics (SASB), ISB's only affiliated society in Africa, hosted its 4th biennial conference on 4-5 September 2025 at the University of Johannesburg. The theme, "Beyond Frontiers: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice," set the tone for a program that combined cutting-edge research with practical application.

Day one featured 18 presentations, including seven student finalists for the SASB Young Investigator Award. The winners were:

• 1st Prize: Jordan Leondiris (University of Cape Town) - Throwing performance and kinematic analysis of overhead throwing in male elite varsity cricketers
• 2nd Prize: Chris-Mari Schreuder (Stellenbosch University) - Evaluating 2D pose estimation models for biomechanical analysis using a high-fidelity dataset
• 3rd Prize: Licinda Pienaar (University of Pretoria) - Force plate analysis of single-leg drop jump variables and their association with sprint speed and change of direction in cricketers

Day two focused on hands-on workshops, including AI & machine learning applications for biomechanics (Oloff Bergh and Chris-Mari Schreuder, Stellenbosch University) and a practical session on low-cost technology implementation led by Assoc. Prof. Mark Kramer (North-West University).

A major highlight was the Keynote lecture by Dr. Nic Tam (Lead Scientist, On AG; ISB-sponsored keynote), who shared insights on how biomechanics and modelling inform innovations in shoe design, midsole geometry, and energy-return systems. Dr. Tam also spoke about his journey from academia to industry, emphasizing perseverance, passion-driven research, and collaboration as a driver of innovation.

The conference also marked the launch of SASB's student group, with Petra Apollis (Stellenbosch University) appointed as the student representative.

SASB acknowledges the generous support of its sponsors who are collaborating with SASB on a 12-month program to advance biomechanics education in South Africa and beyond. SASB continues to actively build connections with other African universities to grow the biomechanics community across the continent.

Learn more: https://biomechsa.org/events/

Follow us on Insta: sasb_insta

Yumna Albertus
ISB Affiliated Societies Officer

Back to Table of Contents

Comparative Neuromuscular Biomechanics (CNB) Technical Group updates

The Comparative Neuromuscular Biomechanics (CNB) Technical Group, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, hosted its first multi-day satellite meeting in Helsinki from July 23-25, 2025. The meeting was co-organized by Taylor Dick, Jonas Rubenson, Huub Maas, Taija Finni, and Neil Cronin.

More than 70 scientists , including 2 keynote speakers and 17 invited speakers representing 15 countries , joined us for a very warm and inspiring few days at the beautiful Bäckby Estate, just outside Helsinki.

A big thank you to our sponsors for making this meeting possible: the International Society of Biomechanics, the Finnish Federation of Learned Societies, The Company of Biologists, The Journal of Experimental Biology, Delsys, and Aurora Scientific.

Congratulations to our award winners:

• JEB Early Career Award - Francesco Luciano (University of Milan), Why on Earth don't humans gallop?
• JEB Student Award - Ethan Wold (Georgia Tech), Scaling of muscle-driven resonant mechanics across insects
• JEB Short Talk Award - Katie Knaus (Colorado School of Mines), Aponeurosis effects on soleus force-length with decreasing activation
• Delsys Student Award - Ryan Konno (University of Queensland), An experimental and modelling framework to capture neuromuscular dynamics and energetics in vivo
• ISB Early Career Talk Award - Laura Lecompte (KU Leuven), Achilles tendinopathy patients show altered intra-tendinous sliding and muscle-force sharing during dynamic calf raise variations in different horizontal foot positions

Here are all of our award winners:

And here is the full group:

We also recently held board elections , and our new board members and positions will be announced shortly.

Finally, we are pleased to share that there will be a special issue in the Journal of Biomechanics : Muscle-tendon mechanics across species , co-edited by Jonas Rubenson, Taylor Dick, and Huub Maas . This issue will include contributions from CNB speakers but is also open to submissions from researchers who did not attend the event.

Back to Table of Contents

International Women in Biomechanics: wikibomb initiative update

Two asynchronous ISB Wikibomb rounds, and three synchronous conference workshop sessions were held at ANZSB-2024, ISB-2025 and ASB-2025. The synchronous workshop sessions were by far the most successful format. Congratulations to all the volunteers both online and at conference events who contributed to this fantastic initiative.

Overall, this initiative has generated more than 30 new Wikipedia biographies for women and underrepresented genders in biomechanics and updated many more. It has also generated a new page for the International Society Biomechanics in Sport, and has updated the ASB and ISB pages. Here are some examples:

• ISBS
• Alexandra Atack
• Silvia Blemker
• Taylor Dick
• Annegret Mundermann
• Lizeth Sloot
• Sujatha Srinivasan
• Ruth Glassow
• Izzy Moore
• Gillian Weir
• Doris Ida Miller

We really appreciate the support we've received from the ISB. We've also had some amazing support from Wikipedia to run the in-person events.

Fraje Watson
Imperial College London

Celeste Coltman
University of Canberra

Back to Table of Contents

Data Sharing and Kinematic Standardisation: Stockholm 2025

Community Perspectives on Data Sharing and Kinematic Standardisation: Key Findings from Stockholm 2025

The Kinematic Atlas Initiative gathered insights from 95 international researchers during two dedicated sessions at the XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics in Stockholm, addressing critical challenges in human movement data sharing and joint kinematics standardisation. The reverse Q&A format revealed significant community dissatisfaction with current practices and strong support for collaborative solutions to transform the fragmented landscape of biomechanics data into an integrated, interoperable ecosystem that could accelerate scientific discovery and improve clinical outcomes.

Key Findings on Data Sharing

• Community dissatisfaction is widespread : 60% of respondents indicated they were not satisfied with the current state of data sharing in biomechanics, with technical challenges, legal barriers, and lack of standardisation cited as primary obstacles

• Industry partnerships show strong support : 77% favour industrial partners acting as both contributors and users of field-specific data sharing platforms, recognising the potential for massive data contributions while acknowledging complex contractual considerations

• Federated models preferred over centralised repositories : Trusted Research Environments using federated data models emerged as the preferred approach, keeping sensitive data on secure institutional servers while enabling collaborative analysis through protected virtual workspaces

• Funding sustainability remains challenging : Mixed support for various funding models highlights the need for innovative approaches combining grants, industry partnerships, and user fees, with annual platform maintenance costs estimated at approximately $24,000 USD

• Data privacy and misuse concerns dominate : 32% of participants identified data misuse as their biggest concern, followed by privacy/ethics issues (24%), emphasising the need for robust governance frameworks

Key Findings on Kinematic Standardisation

• Existing ISB recommendations show room for improvement : 75% of participants reported not being entirely satisfied with current ISB recommendations, with 28% expressing dissatisfaction

• Strong consensus on harmonisation value : 83% believe it is extremely worthwhile to invest time and resources into harmonising measurement methods, coordinate systems, and joint kinematic computations across research groups

• Implementation challenges acknowledged : While 65% ranked establishing detailed reporting requirements through checklists as the top priority for improving study comparability, practical implementation across diverse laboratory setups remains complex

• Methodology reporting identified as critical barrier : 46% of participants identified insufficient detail in methodology reporting as the biggest obstacle to comparing joint motion data across different research groups

• Flexible frameworks favoured over rigid standards : Community feedback emphasised the need for harmonisation tools that allow documented deviations rather than mandating universal adoption of single methods, recognising that different research questions require different approaches

The complete findings are detailed in the full summary report available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16924850.

Next Steps

The initiative will expand community input through the ISB Newsletter, prepare a proposal for a follow-up session at the World Congress of Biomechanics 2026 in Vancouver, establish targeted working groups, and pursue dedicated funding to maintain collaborative momentum. The findings will directly inform a working proposal to the ISB for new recommendations on data sharing, as well as guide the development of a potential trusted research environment for the human movement sciences.

Action Items

To broaden participation beyond the Stockholm attendees, we are now kindly soliciting input from the wider international community through an expanded survey accessible at: https://tinyurl.com/ub7es8ja. Previous participants are encouraged to respond again, as we are aiming to obtain responses from a larger, more diverse population and, importantly, some of the questions have since been adapted based on insights gathered during the initial sessions.

Back to Table of Contents

ISB Awards 2025

We extend our sincere thanks to the ISB 2025 conference organizers for delivering an exceptional meeting filled with world-class science, a vibrant atmosphere, and memorable social events. This year saw a record number of awards submissions -- over 600 -- across seven award categories, reflecting the incredible talent and promise within the biomechanics field. The quality of applications was outstanding, making the task of our assessment panels both rewarding and challenging, with many more deserving candidates than available awards. We warmly congratulate all of this year's award winners and applicants. A special thank you goes to our panel members for their careful evaluation of such a competitive field, and to our sponsors, whose generous support -- including cash prizes -- makes these awards possible and helps set our society apart.

Congratulations to the 2025 ISB Award Winners:

David Winter Young Investigator Podium Award
Jonah Dimnik (University of Calgary): Finite element prediction of in vivo bone strains in a novel rabbit hindlimb loading device

David Winter Young Investigator Poster Award
Abel Mebrahtu (University of Calgary): How inherent aerobic capacity influences the bone properties of the shoulder joint in a diet induced obesity rat model

Clinical Biomechanics Award
Jeongseok Oh (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology): Residual translational and rotational kinematics after combined acl and anterolateral ligament reconstruction during walking: a biplanar fluoroscopy analysis

Promising Scientist Award
Anthony Gatti (Stanford University): Evolving models of the knee: MRI, shape, and biomechanics

Jacquelin Perry Emerging Female Scientist Award
Marie Janneke Schwaner (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems): (Neuro)mechanics of agile movements: an integrative comparative perspective

ISB World Athletics Award for Biomechanics
Wannes Swinnen (Ghent University): The mechanisms underlying enhanced running economy: an uphill versus level running paradigm

Carlo De Luca Emerging Scientists Award
David O'Reilly (University of Leeds): Towards mechanistically insightful precision motor assessments: the network-information framework

ISB Student Travel Grant Awardees

• Denise Balogh, University of Saskatchewan
• Sarah Bohunicky, University of Manitoba
• Bradley Cornish, Griffith University
• Inaê de Oliveira, Federal University of Pampa
• Mauricio Delgado, University of Calgary
• Yannick Denis, Offenburg University
• Annette Hahn, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Janina Helwig, Offenburg University
• Andrew Koshyk, University of Calgary
• Afet Mustafaoglu, University of Jyväskylä
• Keara Peters, Nottingham Trent University
• Morgan Potter, University of Delaware
• Melissa Requist, University of Utah
• Kathryn Rex, The Pennsylvania State University
• Shraddha Sudhir, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Faizan Syed, University of Calgary
• Wies van de Meerakker, Delft University of Technology
• Marni Wasserman, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health

ISB Postdoc Travel Grant

• Kinyata Cooper, University of Florida
• Pawel Kudzia, University of British Columbia
• Barbara Postolka, University of Basel
• Elmira Pourreza, University of Brescia
• Ridhi Sahani, Northwestern University
• Kayla Seymore, University of Southern California
• Jacob Thomas, University of Massachusetts Amherst

EDC Students Travel Grant

• Maria Lucoveis, Brazil
• Li Yanfeng, China
• Xin Liang, China
• Xin Liang, China
• Fereshteh Sabet, Iran
• Jose Guevara, Colombia

The ISB awards portfolio team farewells Prof Katherine Boyer who leaves the council after 6 years of service to the biomechanics community and welcomes Heiliane de Brito Fontana.

For questions about awards, please email Taylor (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Lily (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Back to Table of Contents

Congress photos: Stockholm 2025

The photographers were busy in Stockholm! Here are photo collections for your viewing pleasure:

Day 1, Sunday 27 July

Day 2, Monday 28 July

Day 3, Tuesday 29 July

Day 4, Wednesday 30 July

Day 5, Thursday 31 July

Back to Table of Contents

Expressions of Interest to Host the XXXI ISB Congress in 2029

The Executive Council of the International Society of Biomechanics is now inviting expressions of interest for hosting the 2029 Congress. Official bidding guidelines are currently being developed and will be shared with interested parties soon.

Please note that the bidding process for the 2029 Congress will differ from previous years. The Society will hire a professional conference organizer (PCO) to manage logistics, thereby relieving local organizers of financial responsibilities.

In partnership with the Society's Board and PCO, local organizers will serve as the Conference Chair and will be primarily responsible for:

• Appointing a local organizing committee to collaborate with the PCO on scientific program planning, including:
  • Determining the meeting theme and sessions
  • Securing keynote speakers
  • Reviewing submissions for workshops, oral, and poster presentations
  • Developing the overall scientific program
• Securing financial and in-kind support from local/regional partners in government, academia, and industry
• Providing suggestions and ideas for local social events, such as lab tours, evening socials, banquets, excursions, and student-led activities
• Participating in regular conference planning meetings
• Identifying and confirming session moderators

Additional responsibilities will be outlined once the bidding process is finalized.

At this stage, interested individuals or groups should send a brief letter of interest or email to the President-Elect, Brent Edwards (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Interested parties will be contacted directly once the formal bidding guidelines are available.

For questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Back to Table of Contents

Asia: upcoming biomechanics meetings

Q4 in Asia-Oceania is packed with national meetings and the APAB congress. Here are the quick highlights.

• APBiomech 2025 (APAB): Auckland, 18-21 Nov.
• China's National Sports Science Congress: Biomechanics sessions, Wuhan, 7-9 Nov.
• Japanese Society of Biomechanics (JSB): 31st Congress, Nara, 6-7 Dec.
• Korean Society of Biomechanics (KSBM): Annual Meeting, Seoul, 24-25 Oct.
• Korean Society of Sports Biomechanics (KSSB): 63rd Congress, Busan, 17-18 Oct.
• Taiwan Society of Biomechanics (TSB): Annual Symposium, Kaohsiung, 15 Nov.

Note: ANZSB's Australasian Biomechanics Conference (ABC) runs biennially in even-numbered years. Watch for 2026 announcements.

Details at https://skoo1.github.io/isbnow/isbnow202509.html

Seungbum Koo
ISB Asia Representative

Back to Table of Contents

South America: upcoming biomechanics meetings

As the South American biomechanics and motor community looks ahead, the calendar is set for a vibrant sequence of gatherings that connect research, education, and practice across our region.

We begin in Santiago, Chile, on 27-28 November 2025, with the Second International Congress of the Institute of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (UNAB). Organized by the Institute of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at Universidad Andrés Bello, this two-day meeting is designed to weave together UNAB investigators and colleagues from national and international institutions. The focus is firmly on bridging scientific evidence with teaching and clinical decision-making to improve population health and rehabilitation. Program information and registration are available at unab.cl/icer, and inquiries can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Just a short flight east, 27-29 November 2025 brings us to Curitiba, Brazil, for the XV Symposium on Applied Neuromechanics: Health Technology. Hosted by the Biomechanics Study Group (NEB) at PUCPR and the Graduate Program in Health Technology (PPGTS), the Symposium convenes researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to discuss the newest intersections between human movement and technology. Expect international keynotes, oral and poster sessions, hands-on workshops, and generous spaces for networking. Registration includes access to the full scientific program, workshops, coffee breaks, and the opening reception. Details and signup are available at even3.com.br/sna2025; questions can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Looking a bit further ahead, October 2026 welcomes the V Chilean Congress of Movement Sciences (V ACCM Congress) in Valparaíso, Chile. Organized by the Chilean Association of Movement Sciences (ACCM) and hosted by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) together with Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE), this edition will highlight the international reach of our field, with speakers and participants from Chile, Latin America, and beyond. The Curauma Campus (PUCV) will serve as the main venue for plenaries, symposia, workshops, and posters, complemented by pre-congress activities and satellite courses in Valparaíso and Santiago that foster interdisciplinary dialogue among kinesiology, physical education, engineering, health, science, and technology. Framed by Valparaíso's UNESCO- listed hills and neighboring Viña del Mar's coastal charm, the meeting promises an inspiring blend of scientific rigor and cultural richness. For information and expressions of interest, please contact Prof. Oscar Achiardi (PUCV), Prof. Joel Alvarez-Ruf (UMCE), Prof. Willian da Silva (PUCV), and Prof. Júlio B. Mello (PUCV) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The congress website and registration link will be announced soon.

We look forward to meeting many of you at these events -- each a timely opportunity to strengthen collaborations, share data and methods, and grow the impact of biomechanics and movement sciences across South America.

27-28 November 2025 - Santiago, Chile
Second International Congress, Institute of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (UNAB)

Hosted by the Institute of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andrés Bello, this congress connects UNAB researchers with national and international colleagues, linking science, teaching, and clinical practice to advance population health and rehabilitation.

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

Website & Registration: https://www.unab.cl/icer

27-29 November 2025 - Curitiba, Brazil
XV Symposium on Applied Neuromechanics: Health Technology

Organized by the Biomechanics Study Group (NEB) at PUCPR and the Graduate Program in Health Technology (PPGTS), this international meeting features keynotes, oral/poster sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking focused on human movement, technology, and health. Registration includes access to the full scientific program, workshops, coffee breaks, and the opening reception.

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

Website & Registration: https://even3.com.br/sna2025

October 2026 - Valparaíso, Chile
V Chilean Congress of Movement Sciences (V ACCM Congress)

Organized by the Chilean Association of Movement Sciences (ACCM) and hosted by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) and Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE), the 2026 edition will spotlight international collaboration across Latin America and beyond. The Curauma Campus (PUCV) will host plenaries, symposia, workshops, and posters, with pre-congress activities in Valparaíso and Santiago. Set against the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valparaíso and neighboring Viña del Mar, the congress promises a rich academic and cultural experience. Contacts: Prof. Oscar Achiardi (PUCV), Prof. Joel Alvarez-Ruf (UMCE), Prof. Willian da Silva (PUCV), Prof. Júlio B. Mello (PUCV)

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

Website & Registration: to be announced soon.

Back to Table of Contents

ISB Executive Council 2025-2027

The executive election results were announced in the July 2025 issue of ISB NOW. All officers' roles were finalized in August 2025 as follows:

Elected officers:

Appointed officers:

Congratulations to all!

Back to Table of Contents

Greetings from the Publication Officer

Hello! Over the next two years I look forward to serving you and the ISB as Publication Officer. You will be seeing me in your inbox quarterly with announcements for new issues of ISB NOW.

If you have not already visited the ISB NOW archive please take a look:

https://isbweb.org/news/isb-now

The ISB NOW archive contains issues dating back to 1983, with articles documenting the evolution of biomechanics over the decades. For example, here is an interesting passage from the Spring 1983 issue:

"...the newest generation of scientific 16 bit microcomputers from Data General Corp. It is one of the fastest, most advanced and cost efficient systems available today. The 128 kilobyte memory is expandable to 2 Megabytes, the 5 Megabyte hard disk can be extended to 15 or 50 Megabytes. The floppy disk has 1.2 Megabytes, and a cartridge tape drive is available, too."

Ohh, the tape and floppy days. Thank you to all biomechanists who drudged through these computational constraints to make breakthrough technological progress that paved the way for all of us and for biomechanics' bright future.

I also wish to thank Lily, my predecessor, for getting me started and for providing guidance and advice on all sorts of issues. Thank you Lily!

If you have any newsworthy content that you wish to communicate to the ISB membership through ISB NOW please contact me any time: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Todd Pataky
ISB Publication Officer
Kyoto University, Japan

Back to Table of Contents

Greetings from the IDEA Officer

I am Julie Choisne, the newly appointed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) officer for ISB. This new council role was voted on at the last council meeting. I am very honoured that the ISB has appointed me for this role!

Just a little about me, I am a senior research fellow and currently serving as the Associate Director for Equity and Diversity at the University of Auckland, where I have the privilege of working alongside passionate individuals committed to creating inclusive, fair, and empowering environments. One of my current works addresses one of our society's most persistent challenges: the gender pay gap. It's a complex issue that can be dismantled through transparency, accountability, and collective will. I believe my experience will be valuable in developing the IDEA values of the ISB alongside you!

In this newly created role, one of my first tasks is to form an IDEA Committee, and we need voices from across ISB; diverse, passionate, and committed voices, to help shape our path forward. Whether you bring lived experience, research expertise, or simply a desire to make a difference, your contribution matters.

Together, we can challenge inequities, celebrate diversity, and create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. This is not just a committee, it's a call to action. So if you've ever asked, "What can I do to help?", this is your moment. Join us. Let's build something extraordinary.

Please reach out to me if you are interested in joining or have beautiful ideas for this committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Back to Table of Contents