ISAK History

An event of historical importance which occurred at Conference 1986 was the founding of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. On July 20, 1986, at Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow, Scotland, a meeting of 34 international delegates agreed to the foundation of "an organisation of individuals whose scientific and professional endeavor is related to kinanthropometry", the quantitative interface between human structure and function. It was decided to join the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) as an official Committee. The meeting adopted a constitution specifying an Executive Council of nine members.

The International Society for the Advancement of Kinathropometry (ISAK) is the offspring of the International Working Group in Kinanthropometry (a branch of the ICSSPE Research Committee). This group was founded in Brazil, at the FIMS meeting in 1978. The group focused on the promotion and upgrading of kinanthropometric research. Their efforts led to the establishment of three international congresses on kinanthropometry and the inclusion of specialised sections in other meetings, such as the Olympic Scientific Congress of 1984. As the number of colleagues with mutual interests increased, it was decided to move away from exclusiveness of small committee to openness of new organisation which would serve more directly all who might be interested.

Past Presidents and Secretary-Generals for ISAK

ISAK AGMs and conferences

ISAK conference proceedings

• 1976 Quebec City, Canada. Kinanthropometry I.
• 1978 Leuven, Belgium.  Kinanthropometry II (1980). M. Ostyn, G. Beunen and J. Simons (Eds.). University Park Press: Baltimore.
• 1986 Glasgow, Scotland. Kinanthropometry III. T. Reilly, J. Watkins and J. Borms (Eds.).
• 1990 Brussells, Belgium. Kinanthropometry IV. W. Duquet, J.A.P. Day (Eds). E.& F.N. Spoon.
• 1992.  Malaga
• 1994 Victoria, Canada. Kinanthropometry V
• 1998 Adelaide, Australia. Kinanthropometry VI. K. Norton, T. Olds & J. Dollman (Eds). Sixth ISAK Conference October 13-16, 1998.
• 2000 Brisbane, Australia. Kinanthropometry VII. Pre-Olympic Congress.
• 2002 Manchester, England. Kinanthropometry VIII.  T. Reilly.  12th International Commonwealth Sports Sciences Conference 19-23 July, 2002.
• 2004 Thessaloniki, Greece. Kinanthropometry IX. M. Marfell-Jones, A. Stewart & T.Olds (Eds). Ninth ISAK Conference August 2004.
• 2006 Melbourne, Australia. Kinanthropometry X. M. Marfell-Jones & T.Olds (Eds). Ninth ISAK Conference August 2006.
• 2008 Guangzhou, China. Kinanthropometry XI (2008).  P Hume & A Stuart (Eds). Pre-Olympic Congress.

Olympic, World Championship and large scale sport studies

• 1968. Mexico City Olympics. Anthropometric Profiles of Olympic Athletes at Mexico City. J.E.L. Carter, M. Hebbelinck, A. de Garay.
• 1976. Montréal Olympics. Montréal Olympic Games Anthropological Project. J.E.L. Carter, G. Larivière, M. Hebbelinck, W.D. Ross, R.M. Malian, C. Bouchard, M. Yuhasz, J. Borms.
• 1991. FINA 6th World Championships Perth Australia. Kinanthropometry Aquatic Sports Project. J.E.L. Carter, T.R. Ackland, J.C Mazza, W.D. Ross, M.J. Marfell-Jones
• 2000.  Sydney Olympics.  Oz2000 Sydney Olympic Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking anthropometry project.  T. Ackland, D.Kerr, P. Hume, B. Ross, K. Ong, B. Ridge, P. Broad.
• 2002. Oceania Powerlifting Championships – New Zealand. J. Keogh, P. Hume, S. Pearson, P. Mellow, K.Sheerin.
• 2008.  River Plate Club - Buenos Aires, Argentina.  F. Holway.
• 2008. Malaysian World Badminton Championships. A. Zakaria, M. Ali, M. Razali , P. Hume, W. Png, R. Aziz.