Journal of Foot and Ankle Research has published the meeting abstracts from the 3rd Congress of the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community (i-FAB2012).

The i-FAB 2012 Congress is being held over the next few days (11th – 13th  April 2012) at the University of Sydney, Australia.  The congress, and its abstracts, brings together speakers from 19 countries to introduce 4 workshops, 6 keynote and invited presentations, as well as a number of oral and poster sessions.

Amongst some of the research presented, one of the key topics of relevance this year are the effect of biomechanics in high-risk groups such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, as well as the differences in assessing the biomechanics in an ageing population.

Other focal topics include the biomechanics and gait analysis of running, walking, and in particular, the implications of the increasing popular activity of barefoot running. Current research indicates an ongoing debate in the health benefits of barefoot running and minimalist running, which include reduced injury risk, changes in footstrike and metabolic advantages.

The International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community (i-FAB) was launched in 2007 as an international collaboration of members related to foot and ankle biomechanics. The i-FAB community brings together academics, physicians, podiatrists, physiotherapists, surgeons and other health professionals, to members of the footwear, orthosis, surgery and related industries. Connecting people across traditional disciplinary boundaries is one of its key objectives. Open access publication of these meeting abstracts is very much in line with the open philosophy of i-FAB,  and allows faster dissemination between researchers, clinicians and consumers.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research is the official publication of the Australasian Podiatry Council and the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, and is due to receive an Impact Factor this June. Sign-up for article alerts to find out about the latest research published in JFAR.