Breast mechanics add bounce to lecture

IT IS one lecture that surely even the laziest male student would not think about missing.

A talk on the "biomechanics of bouncing breasts" will take place at Napier University in Edinburgh tomorrow.

The address will be given by Dr Joanna Scurr from Portsmouth University.

The subject matter may sound like something out of a Monty Python sketch, but Scurr insists her message is extremely serious.

And the UK's foremost specialist in breast biomechanics insists she will have the last laugh over "sniggering" male colleagues.

In an innovative piece of research, Scurr placed 60 female volunteers on treadmills to create the largest scientific study into breast bouncing during exercise.

She believes her research will lead to the creation of the ultimate sports bra – and eliminate the age-old problem of breast pain among sportswomen.

She said: "Breast pain can be a real barrier to women doing exercise. Yet sports science has always been dominated by men and for them, studying breasts is seen as slightly laughable.

"For women, though, it is completely credible as they can see the benefits. The idea of bouncing breasts makes people laugh nervously, but this is an important subject."

Scurr plans to use "intelligent materials" to create a new generation of smart-fabric sports bras to provide maximum support for women. She has also been invited to create bras for the military, lingerie firms and the NHS.

The scientist found that breasts move far more than the ordinary bra is designed to cope with, and that they move as much during gentle exercise as running.