Biomechanics Interest Group (BIG)

Update 2024

BASES BIG 2024 will return as an in-person event on Wednesday 10 April 2024 and will be hosted by Loughborough University, an established leader in Biomechanics research, host to, amongst others, the 2024 World Scientific Congress of Golf and the 44th International Society of Sports Biomechanics 2026 conference. Delegates must register to attend, and registration is free for all. Within the event, there will be a BASES members-only session, with details to follow.

BIG engages scholars as well as practitioners from a diverse range of sports and with International flavour. This provides the opportunity for delegates to enjoy a diverse pallet of speakers from established and early career researchers. Colleagues are provided with a forum where they can share their current projects and receive useful feedback on their work, create links with other researchers as well as develop collaborations. There is no other UK-based, Biomechanics-related conference or event that happens on an annual basis.

Registration is now open - https://basesbiomech.wixsite.com/my-site/registration

Abstract submission template and deadline details are here - https://basesbiomech.wixsite.com/my-site/documents

Follow us on X (@Bases_biomech , #BASESBIG2024) or keep an eye out on our webpage for relevant updates and news about BIG as well as the Division of Biomechanics and Motor Behaviour.

After all, in what other UK-based Biomechanics-related conference can you get all of this?

We look forward to seeing you at Loughborough University on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

Update 2023

Since 2022, BIG has moved into the leadership of the Division of Biomechanics & Motor Behaviour (DBMB). The Division hosted the 2023 BIG Division Day on 31 May 2023. There were over 155 individuals register from across the UK, Europe and abroad with a peak of 98 in one session at one time. The Division was delighted with how this online event went, which included the following:

1. four dynamic keynotes:
   1. a. Sprint Mechanics for Hamstring Injuries Management: Why? What? How? from Jean-Benoit (JB) Morin of the University of Saint-Etienne (France)
   2. b. Jumping the Hurdles of Equestrian Biomechanics Research from Dr Celeste Wilkins of Hartpury University (UK)
   3. c. Evidence-Based Classification in Para Sport: The Case of Frame Running from Martine Verheul of the University of Edinburgh (UK)
   4. d. From Anatomy to Engineering: Improving Accuracy of Musculoskeletal Modelling with Optimization and Machine Learning from Associate Professor Sergiy Yakovenko of the West Virginia University (USA)
2. Five oral presentations from academics
3. A coach/athlete forum:
   1. Reece Barclay: Ironman Coach and professional triathlete
   2. Milly Tanner: GB Track Cyclist

• Links to recordings of all sessions are available on the BASES member webpage in addition to a PDF of BIG Movements in Biomechanics abstract booklet.

The DBMB team was pleased with both the attendance and the feedback on the event and would like to extend its thanks to all presenters and participants. Plans for BIG 24 are underway, with a view to having an in-person event.

Update 2022

At the start of 2022, this SIG moved into the leadership of the Division of Biomechanics & Motor Behaviour. The Division hosted the 2022 BIG Division Day on 25 May 2022. Entitled “BIG Steps Forward.” There were over 200 individuals registered from across the UK, Europe and abroad with a peak of 111 in one session at one time, and as a division we are delighted with how it went. The online event included the following:

• Two dynamic keynotes:

• Optimising swimming performance through biomechanics and technology: Experiences from supporting elite GB swimmers from Professor Carl Payton & colleagues (MMU & British Swimming)

• The interplay between biomechanics and technologies in supporting coaching and performance from Dr Kyle Wasserberger (Driveline Baseball)

• Two engaging industry focussed sessions:

• Biomechanics for Sport & Beyond from Dr Franky Mulloy (University of Lincoln)

• Equality, diversity and inclusion in sport from Dr Ralph Appleby and Lauren Kamperman (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme)

• 10 oral presentations from academics

• Two oral presentations from students who had abstracts accepted to the cancelled 2022 Student BASES Conference in Huddersfield

• Workshops on:

• Gait analysis in and out of the laboratory setting from Dr Rachel Koldenhoven Rolfe (Texas State University)

• Building your brand from Dr Stuart McErlain-Naylor (Loughborough University)

• Links to recordings of all sessions are available on the BASES member webpage, in addition to a pdf BIG Steps Forward abstract booklet.

The Team was delighted with both the attendance and the feedback on the event and would like to extend our thanks to all presenters and participants. Plans for BIG 23 are well underway!

BASES members can opt in to communications from this Special Interest Group via their Member Profile (in the Members' Area) to receive updates and information on how to get more involved.

Since 2022, BIG has moved under the leadership of the Division of Biomechanics & Motor Behaviour. On 10 April 2024, the Division hosted its first in-person BIG event and members’ Division activity (since lockdown) at Loughborough University. Division members Professor Nassos Bissas and Dr Theo Bampouras worked closely with colleagues from Loughborough University to organise the event, which was a clear success.

C. 210 attendees registered in advance, with c. 200 attending, from 65 institutions, on the day, including 35 BASES members. Feedback from the attendees and nine exhibitors was positive. There were 28 oral and poster presentations of high-quality work and a brilliant keynote by world-leading academic Professor Taija Finni from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The keynote focused on how the knowledge of Achilles subtendons changes the way we think of tendon loading, training and rehabilitation.

Six members of the Division attended the BIG event and they were delighted with both the attendance and the feedback on the event and would like to extend its thanks to all presenters, attendees, sponsors and hosts from Loughborough University.

There was a very strong appetite for in-person meetings such as this and an advert to host the 2025 event is already attracting interest from a number of prestigious universities within the UK.
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BASES BIG 2024 took place on Wednesday 10 April at Loughborough University. The event had over 200 registered delegates from 65 different Institutions / Bodies / Companies.

Thank you to our event sponsors for helping make the day a success; Loughborough University, Qualisys, Hab Direct, Vicon, Human Kinetics, Simi Reality Motion Systems, Delsys, Summit Medical & Scientific, Trackeys Ltd, Quintic and Theia.

The programme consisted of; a brilliant keynote by Professor Taija Finni, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, ‘Does the knowledge of Achilles subtendons change the way we think of tendon loading, training and rehabilitation?", 28 high-quality (oral and poster) presentations, great networking opportunities and a members-only Division meeting served with high tea. Not a bad day at the office!

The application window for hosting BIG 2025 is now open, the application form can be found here, the submission deadline is Monday 10 July 2024. Why not consider with your teams hosting the only UK-based Biomechanics conference?

Follow the BASES Biomechanics and Motor Behaviour Division on X (@BASES_Biomech) or visit their webpages (https://basesbiomech.wixsite.com/my-site , https://www.bases.org.uk/spage-divisions-biomechanics_and_motor_behaviour.html) for updates and news

Thank you to all those involved in making #BASESBIG2024 a great success.