Fukuoka is a major city located in one of the most southerly islands Japan (named ‘Kyushu’). Shamefully, I knew nothing of Fukuoka (at least, until it was announced as the host city of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) Congress, 2023. But, I was delighted to find myself there this summer. It was a particularly welcome change of pace (even for a busy conference schedule) after an intercontinental journey involving 24 hours of air travel (more or less!) and a four-night stop in Seoul (in South Korea)!
Although I had prepared to present a poster of some of my PhD research output at the congress (see above), my main motivation to attend was to re-immerse myself fully into the world of biomechanics. I have recently resumed my membership with the ISB after over a decade-long hiatus from research. Coincidentally, the ISB was also celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and so it was the perfect time to do this. I could also reconnect with my peers and make new connections, all the while soaking in a diverse range of world-class research outputs being shared by the other delegates.
If you are aware of the workshops I offer through Move Well, you will know how passionately I feel about making biomechanics a subject that is accessible to all. It is sadly no surprise that women are greatly under-represented in this field of study. But there is a great effort being made to change this within the ISB. I was delighted to be invited on day one into a new and thriving community aptly named ‘International Women in Biomechanics‘, with an active online presence via ‘Slack‘ and monthly online meetings (all recorded and uploaded to Youtube). I heard the incredible stories of the pioneering women of biomechanics as told by renouned biomechanist (and gifted storyteller!) Emeritus Professor Julie Steele (see photo above). I caught up with old contacts and shared back stories with new friends over the city’s infamous (and delicious!) Tonkotsu Ramen at ‘Shin Shin‘ (see photo above).
In other sessions and keynote lectures I took notes on new methods being used in research. I was inspired by the questions posed by other delegates to the presenters in the oral presentation sessions. Some of the most profound updates in these sessions included how machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used more and more to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of biomechanical methods used in clinical and research settings. We were also reminded about how the information gathered using such technology via markerless motion capture in public spaces could be used for both good and bad. Discussions were held on how the risk of harm from these technologies could be mitigated.
The congress closed with a gala dinner held in the Kawabata Arcade. Street food stalls (also known as ‘Yatai’ were dotted along the length of the arcade, offering a range of local delicacies. Delegates mingled and reflected on their experience at the congress and in the warm and welcoming city of Fukuoka. It has been a privilege to be part of this year’s congress, and I am looking forward very much to attending again for ISB 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden!
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