EDC workshop at the ISB2013 congress in Brazil

A participatory approach to promoting biomechanics in Economically Developing Countries (EDCs)

In order to identify, address, and ultimately overcome the challenges in expanding biomechanics in EDCs, we invited ISB members who were currently or had been previously engaged in biomechanics work in developing countries to participate in an ISB-EDC Workshop during the ISB2013 Congress. By cooperatively developing capacity-building strategies, we hoped to find new opportunities to support our EDC members in their research and teaching related endeavors, and ultimately increase the impact of the ISB-EDC Program. Of the 37 ISB members who were invited to attend, eleven were able to participate in the morning event.

The time available for the workshop – 3 ½ hours – was limited considering what we wanted to achieve with participants from all over the world, many of whom had never met one another before. I felt confidant that we would realize our specific goals for the workshop, however, since these individuals has previously demonstrated their dedication to the ISB and to the promotion of biomechanics in EDCs.

ISB 2017 Congress Call for Proposals

Persons or groups interested in organizing the XXVI Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics in 2017 are invited to prepare and submit a formal proposal to the ISB Executive Council. Written proposals are due by April 1st, 2014. Like all years, the 2017 congress will be a landmark event for the ISB; bids should propose to organize an event that reflects the mission and goals of the society.

Candidates from shortlisted bids will be invited to present their proposal to the ISB Executive Council at their 2014 meeting (the date it not set yet but will be one or two days prior to the World Congress of Biomechanics meeting in Boston in July of 2014). The final decision will be made during this meeting through a vote by the Executive Council.

As President-Elect of the ISB, I will be coordinating the bidding process. If you are interested in applying, please contact me and I will be happy to provide guidance and detailed additional information on proposal preparation.

Andrew Cresswell

ISB President-Elect
a.cresswell@uq.edu.au

ISB Award Winners

Emerging Scientist Award:  Geoffrey Power

Field of electromyography and motor control

Sponsored by Prof Carlo DeLuca and is a monetary award of $2500

Geoffrey is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the human performance laboratory at the University of Calgary after completing his undergraduate studies at the Memorial university of Newfoundland and PhD at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. The two papers that Geoffrey submitted as part of the application for the award were:

• Power GA, Rice CL, Vandervoort AA (2012) Increased Residual Force Enhancement in Older Adults Is Associated with a Maintenance of Eccentric Strength. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48044. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048044
• Power GA, Dalton BH, Behm DG, Vandervoort AA, Doherty TJ, Rice CL. (2010) Motor unit number estimates in masters runners: use it or lose it?  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 42(9):1644-50. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181d6f9e9.

ISB Travel Grant Reports

Stephen M. Suydam, Delaware, USA

Delaware Rehabilitation Institute, University of Delaware.

The International Society of Biomechanics XXIV Biennial Congress was a fantastic representation of the pioneer researchers of the biomechanical world as well as the up and coming researchers of both well established and economically developing countries. The intriguing opening keynote of Dr. Nicolelis was a foreshadowing of the unique talks to come. The amazing concept he introduced of bypassing the human neural drive to operate an exoskeleton was only eclipsed by the promised first kick by a paraplegic at the 2014 World Cup. The unique keynotes reached a zenith with Jim Parry bringing a new perspective to the congress with his ideas of superhumanism verses transhumanism. His defining of sport, equality of competition, and the impossibility of predicting what is going to distinguish the post-human left the delegates with a philosophical spin on the day. Another great talk included Benno Nigg speaking with great authority on a lifetime of research tying in footwear and flooring surfaces, but made no point greater than reminding researchers of the time that remains for them and what is possible to be accomplished. An additionally well-established researcher was Roberto Merletti who reiterated the importance of understanding EMG before using it as a tool. A presentation highlight was the understanding of the innervation zones locations and the impact of such to the EMG. Knowing the innervation zones allows researchers to ask a wealth of new questions about neuromuscular control in a clinical setting.