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 ICSSPE meeting in Brasilia, on 11 September 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.