The breast has limited anatomical support and can move 15cm during running. Nicola Brown discusses the consequences of breast movement and provides guidance on obtaining the correct sports bra fit to help women exercise in greater comfort.
Brazil’s Gabi Nunes celebrates scoring their first goal with Nycole Raysla REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
The evolution of technology and sportswear aims to improve performance and prevent injuries. However, the sports industry regularly overlooks sports bras. The first sports bra was developed in 1977 and has undergone many advancements. However, currently, the use of a sports bra in physical activity remains relatively low despite women experiencing breast pain and bra fit issues(1). Additionally, while athletes may feel comfortable discussing their injuries, they may be hesitant about breast-related issues.
Researchers at the University of Wollongong in Australia found that although 58% of athletes reported suffering a contact breast injury during the season, with nearly half reporting an effect on their performance, the coaches and medical staff estimated fewer than 5% of players had sustained a breast injury(2). Furthermore, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, it was the first time Team GB female athletes received bespoke breast support using innovative technology(3). Therefore, a greater understanding of breast movement during exercise must inform sports bra design and fit to allow women to perform optimally and comfortably.
The breasts sit on top of the chest wall, with each weighing approximately 200g (A and B cups) to 1000g (≥ D cup)(4,5). The breast does not contain any muscle tissue and comprises adipose and specialized (glandular) tissue that produces milk (see figure 1). The only anatomical support is provided by the skin and fibrous tissue, referred to as Cooper’s ligaments. The Cooper’s ligaments are thin, paper-like tissues that weave throughout the breast and attach to the chest wall. As a result of the limited anatomical support, the breasts may move excessively over the chest wall during physical activity. The movement occurs in three dimensions, with breasts reported to move, on average, 4.2-9.9 cm in the vertical direction, 1.8-6.2 cm in the medial-lateral direction, and 3.0–5.9 cm in the anterior-posterior direction(6,7,8). Thus, breast movement during physical activity may lead to several negative consequences.
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