Welcome to i-FAB – International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics

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i-FAB (International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics) is a global community dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and collaboration in the study of the foot and ankle. We bring together biomechanists, engineers, podiatrists, orthopaedic researchers, sports scientists, and industry experts to improve understanding of how the foot and ankle function, and to apply this knowledge in the design and evaluation of footwear, orthoses, insoles, surgical techniques, and computational models.

Our work bridges experimental and computational approaches, linking gait analysis, musculoskeletal modeling, motion capture, pressure measurement, finite element simulation, and material testing with applied outcomes in footwear, sports performance, and engineering solutions.

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Providing information on the global activities related to foot and ankle biomechanics

Connecting people working in the foot and ankle biomechanics domain regardless of location and discipline

Facilitating debate on key issues for the community

Creating coordinated community wide activities

Developing a profile for an international critical mass of research activity related to foot and ankle biomechanics

What are our objectives ?

Our Mission

Foot and ankle biomechanics

Applied biomechanics research

International collaboration

Promote the scientific value

Welcome to the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community (i-FAB)

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How We Work

i-FAB Congress: Every two years, we organize the i-FAB Congress, an international meeting that highlights biomechanics advances and fosters collaboration across academia, industry, and professional practice. Each congress expands into new territories and strengthens the role of foot biomechanics research worldwide.
Conference Sessions: i-FAB organizes and chairs sessions at major scientific events, including the Footwear Biomechanics Group, International Society of Biomechanics (ISB), World Congress of Biomechanics, EFAS, and many more.
Open Collaboration: i-FAB actively invites researchers, engineers, and industry specialists to propose initiatives, share expertise, and form working groups.

Advancing foot and ankle science, one step at a time

Where biomechanics meets better outcomes

Research Focus Areas

i-FAB promotes both experimental and computational studies in foot and ankle biomechanics. Key areas include:

Gait analysis and human movement science – advancing motion capture, pressure mapping, and walking/running performance studies.
Orthotics and insoles – evaluation of materials, design, comfort, and biomechanical function.
Finite element analysis (FEA) – computational modeling of the foot and ankle under dynamic loads.

Sports biomechanics – improving performance, injury prevention, and load distribution in athletes.
Material and structural testing – mechanical characterization of tissues, footwear components, and orthotic devices.
Surgical biomechanics – mechanical analysis and evaluation of orthopaedic techniques and fixation devices.

Footwear design and technology – bridging engineering, ergonomics, and sports performance.
Musculoskeletal modeling – simulating joint loading, muscle activation, and tissue behavior.

We have a biannual i-FAB congress to

Connect people interested in foot and ankle biomechanics across different sectors
Increase the profile of foot biomechanics in a new territory
Connect with disciplines that might not normally have a strong biomechanics component

Features

We have an exciting scientific agenda in a truly unique venue planned. The meeting will be problem based and multidisciplinary. The foot and ankle pathology or concern will be the focus of each session with presentations from the epidemiological, experimental, computational, and clinical perspectives. All related disciplines are encouraged to participate to enhance the breadth and depth of our conference.

Join our community

I-FAB welcomes members from every community with an interest in foot and ankle biomechanics, from academics, physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, engineers, physiotherapists and other health professionals, to members of the footwear, insole/orthotic, surgical devices and related industries. i-FAB has an open philosophy and connecting people across traditional disciplinary boundaries is one of our key objectives.

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