A multi-phase intervention study of sports bra prescription for elite UK female athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics

Wakefield-Scurr, Joanna; Sanchez, Amy; Jones, Melissa; Hockley, Louisa; Biswas, Anita; Johnson, Fiona; Roberts, Emily

doi:10.1080/15438627.2022.2090254

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…63 In addition, 83% of female athletes DOI: 10.53646/cdp9k364 Published online: April 5, 2024 2769-4895 Ó Journal of Women's Sports Medicine -46 -at the Olympics and Paralympics wore improperly fitted bras. 94 Another study reported that bra fit discomfort increases during running when a standard sports bra is used, and Wakefield-Scurr et al reported that sports bra fit changes after 25 wash/dry cycles. 47,95 Given this current literature, there is an essential need for more access to bra fitting and educational initiatives, for athletes and non-athletes alike, on appropriate bra fit as well as descriptive studies geared at understanding how much inappropriate bra fit, access to sports bra, and poor sports bra design are barriers for physical activity.…”

Section: Meta-analyses Were Performed To Assess the Following Relatio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Breasts and Bras on Physical Activity Amongst Women and Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gilmer,

Xu,

Franklin

et al. 2024

J Wom Sports Med

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BACKGROUND: Breast motion may cause breast pain in active women, which can negatively impact physical activity. Sports bras are essential pieces of sporting equipment and were designed to help women comfortably participate in sports and engage in physical activity. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to summarize how breasts and bras influence physical activity in women and girls. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by performing electronic searches of PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Title, abstract, and full text screening were performed by two independent reviewers to identify articles investigating how breasts or bras impact physical activity related outcomes in women or girls. We performed meta-analyses to evaluate the effect of (i) breast size, (ii) bra type, and (iii) breast reduction on (i) breast pain, (ii) physical activity level, and (iii) breast biomechanics. Standardized mean differences and pooled standard deviations of outcome measures were calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird method. All meta-analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics Software. RESULTS: Of the 323 articles identified, 77 were included in the final analysis. The majority of articles studied participants who were 20-29 years old, identified as white, lived in Western countries, were non-athletes, and weighed between 45-65 kg (BMI: 18.5-29.9), while they were performing a running movement. Very few articles reported household income and ethnicity/race. Key themes investigated by this body of literature were breast biomechanics, breast pain, and physical activity levels. Meta-analyses revealed that women and girls with larger breasts reported more exercise-induced breast pain and experienced greater breast mediolateral velocity and anterior/poster acceleration during physical activity than women and girls with smaller breasts. Meta-analyses revealed that sports bras were associated with less breast pain during physical activity than standard bras. CONCLUSION: This body of literature largely studied a homogenous population, and there is a need for greater inclusion of women and girls who identify with under-represented minorities, with disability, who are post-menopausal, and who are overweight. Factors such as ethnicity/race and household income, were underreported in the literature, and studies of movement patterns beyond running are needed. Mediolateral breast velocity and anterior/posterior breast acceleration may be contributors to breast pain in women and girls with larger breasts, thus these biomechanical outcomes are of particular interest for future research and for consideration in sports bra optimization.

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Section: Meta-analyses Were Performed To Assess the Following Relatio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Breasts and Bras on Physical Activity Amongst Women and Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gilmer,

Xu,

Franklin

et al. 2024

J Wom Sports Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…11 Thus, it is important to have a suitable sports bra that can alleviate breast pain, reduce potential tissue damage, reduce embarrassment related to breast displacement, and improve athletic activities. 12,13 Sports bras form a close environment with the human body. However, this additional layer of cloth often causes thermal discomfort during exercise.…”

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Optimized design of sports bras with pressure comfort, thermal comfort, and shaping support

Guo,

Li,

Chen

et al. 2023

Textile Research Journal

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This study designed three different types of sports bras based on the physiological characteristics of female upper bodies. The dressing pressure, skin temperature, and shaping support effectiveness of one subject when wearing those sports bras were evaluated under static and dynamic states. The results indicated that all designed bras illustrated excellent pressure comfort. Regarding the thermal comfort and shaping support performance, sports bras B2 and B3 with further optimizations had improved performances compared to B1. Besides, it was found that the skin temperature would increase with the dressing pressures from sports bras. The increased but comfortable dressing pressure could also benefit the shaping and support performance of sports bras. B22 and B33 had superior support performance to B1, with excellent ability to lift and gather the breasts, and to retract the waist. In summary, optimized sports bras with a cross, hollowed-out, and split design could effectively meet body comfort needs.

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Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention

Wakefield-Scurr,

Jones,

Jones

et al. 2024

Research in Sports Medicine

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A multi-phase intervention study of sports bra prescription for elite UK female athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

The Impact of Breasts and Bras on Physical Activity Amongst Women and Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The Impact of Breasts and Bras on Physical Activity Amongst Women and Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Optimized design of sports bras with pressure comfort, thermal comfort, and shaping support

Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention

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