The International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) was founded at Penn State University on August 30, 1973 to promote the study of all areas of biomechanics at the international level. The ISB promotes and supports international contacts amongst scientists, the dissemination of knowledge, and the activities of national organizations in the field of biomechanics. The ISB has a broad view of the science and application of biomechanics, believing that biomechanics has a major role in the study of all biological systems, from the level of the whole organism down to molecular size scales. Therefore, the Society's membership includes scientists from a large variety of disciplines including anatomy, physiology, engineering (biomedical, mechanical, mechatronics, etc.), orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, sports science, sports medicine, ergonomics, electrophysiological kinesiology and others.
Since its founding the ISB has grown to a membership of well over 1,000 people. The Society provides for affiliate membership of national biomechanics organizations, which currently include the American Society of Biomechanics, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Bulgarian Society of Biomechanics, Canadian Society of Biomechanics, Chinese Society of Sports Biomechanics, Comisia de Biomecanica Inginerie si Informatica (Romania), Czech Society of Biomechanics, Danish Society of Biomechanics, Japanese Society of Biomechanics, Korean Society of Sport Biomechanics, Polish Society of Biomechanics, Russian Society of Biomechanics, Societe de Biomecanique (France), The Society also supports technical and working groups for the purpose of advancing knowledge in specialized areas within the field of biomechanics. Currently active technical sections include Computer Simulation, Shoulder Biomechanics, Footwear Biomechanics, 3-D Motion Analysis, Hand and Wrist Biomechanics and Motor Control Group.
The ISB is involved in many activties to promote biomehanics internationally. These activities include the organization of biennial ISB-international congresses, publication of congress proceedings and a biomechanics monograph series, distribution of a quarterly newsletter (ISBNow), and sponsorship of scientific meetings related to biomechanics. The ISB is affiliated with the Journal of Biomechanics, the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Clinical Biomechanics, the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, and Gait and Posture. The Society also has a major Internet presence with the ISB on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as sponsoring the Biomechanics Forum, Biomch-l.
The major activity of the Society is the organization and conduct of its biennial International Congress on Biomechanics. This provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain an understanding of the current status of the field and make valuable personal and professional contacts. To promote international development of the field, congresses are held in different countries. The recent congresses were held in USA, Taiwan, South Africa, Belgium and Brazil, with next being held in Glasgow, Scotland. The Proceedings and Books of Abstracts from these biennial congresses, as well as the separately published Keynote and Award-winning papers, are a valuable contribution to research literature and also serve to document the progress of the field of biomechanics. Recent ISB Congress proceedings back until 2001, with some Keynotes and Tutorials, are freely available online.
