Conférencières > Joanna WAKEFIELD-SCURR

Prof Joanna WEKEFIELD-SCURR -- UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH, UK

KEYNOTE

Breast biomechanics; An unusual application of science and engineering.

The breasts contain weak intrinsic support, consequently physical activity causes independent breast movement.  This breast movement can be considerable (up to 21 cm reported). The movement of the torso is thought to drive the movement of the breast, resulting in different magnitudes and trajectories of movement across differing activities. The breast moves in three dimensions, displaying a propagation wave rather than a bounce during activities like running. This movement has a number of negative consequences; pain, potential tissue damage and functional effects.

The Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth in the UK have devoted 20 years of scientific research to understanding the implications of breast motion and mitigating factors. This presentation will provide an overview of our research so far, in what is an unusual area of science and engineering.  

SHORT VITA

Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, also known as thebraprofessor.com, is a Professor of Biomechanics and the Founder and Director of the Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth . The Research Group is renowned for research on the biomechanics of the breast. The Group has been conducting fundamental and applied research into breast biomechanics since 2005 when it developed and published the first procedure to establish dynamic breast movement in three dimensions. During this time, the breast biomechanics of thousands of women have been assessed in a variety of conditions, contributing to a unique database of the forces acting through the breast tissue and the support requirements of the breast.

Joanna is well known within the commercial sector, with research projects informing clinical practice and breast support design around the world. The Group’s initiatives include: an Educational Outreach programme to improve understanding of the importance of breast support and bra fitting in schoolgirls; understanding the prevalence, impact and severity of breast pain in military service women; understanding the relationship between breast density and breast biomechanics in clinical populations. More recently, Joanna and her team have worked with elite athlete groups, such as the Lionesses and England netball in the lead up to major championships, improving athlete breast and bra knowledge, reducing breast pain and providing performance benefits.