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Why wear a sports bra? Have you heard of Coopers ligaments? They are thin bands interwoven into the breast which help to hold the breasts up. Fatty tissue, mammary glands and muscle compose the remainder of the breast though the muscle is too deep to assist in the supporting of the breast. |
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| Repetitive trauma to the breasts, running, bouncing etc., can stretch the Coopers ligaments permanently, unless supported
properly with a good sport bra. An Australian study tested a fashion bra, crop top and bare breast (!) against a sport bra. The sport bra reduced pain and vertical movement by over 50%. It is not just the larger breasted woman who suffers pain when exercising - up to 56% of all women endure discomfort. Research to date suggests to reduce pain and motion of the breast when exercising, adult females should wear a well fitting sport bra. Breasts that are not supported properly can lead to upper back and neck strain, particularly in larger breasted women. A good sport bra should have complete cups to prevent movement of the breasts in all directions. It should also have wide, non-elastic straps, and fastners should be covered to reduce rubbing against the skin. ‘Breast droop’ is irreversible so prevention is the best option. (Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia. University of Portsmouth, England) |
