Following eleven years of extensive research investigating the science behind bras the University of Portsmouth’s Research Group in Breast Health is now in a position to make a real difference to the bra development process. Since 2005, the group have developed their scientific testing methods, which establish breast movement in three directions (forwards/backwards, side/side, and up/down) to determine the effectiveness of different types of bras, alongside additional measures, and a recent research by the group discovered 1 in 5 women identified their breasts as a barrier to exercise.
As they work to understand more about the breast and how bras can alleviate pain, breast sag, and embarrassment, the Research Group in Breast Health emphasise that product success is dependent upon many factors, including consumer opinions on comfort and design, fit, materials used, aesthetics and marketing, not just on bounce reduction capabilities. However, products that are validated based on published scientific methods give women peace of mind and the more scientific data there is on the breast support requirements for different groups of women, the more appropriate products will be.
The group runs the bi-annual one-day educational workshop ‘The Science Behind Breasts and Bras’ which is available to everyone, as well as offering three product testing services, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Packages.
In the educational workshop, attendees have the chance to expand their knowledge learning about anatomy, the problems with breasts and the science behind how the breast moves. The workshop also presents the latest cutting edge research in breast biomechanics, breast support (both sports bras and everyday bras) and bra fit. The next Science Behind Breasts and Bras workshop will take place on Friday, 16th September 2016 and there is an early-bird discount offer in place for bookings made before Friday, 5th August 2016.
Based on the success of sports bra research conducted by the Research Group in Breast Health, they now work with many of the major lingerie brands and suppliers around the world, enabling the lingerie industry to gain scientific underpinning and validation for their products. The Bronze (Bra Testing Package), Silver (Bra Evaluation Package), and Gold (Bra Development Package) packages have been developed to support the lingerie industry during the different stages of product development, from initial sketches and prototype testing, to validating a product for a new product launch.
Professor Joanna Scurr, who leads the research group, said: “Scientific testing should be a fundamental aspect of the product development process, we must understand the requirements of a product before we can successfully develop a product to meet those demands. Our research originates from our scientific understanding of the requirements of a bra.”
