Electronic versions

  • Joanna Wakefield-Scurr
    University of Portsmouth
  • Amy Sanchez
    University of Portsmouth
  • Melissa Jones
    University of Portsmouth
  • Louisa Hockley
    University of Portsmouth
  • Anita Biswas
    English Institute of Sport
  • Fiona Johnson
    English Institute of Sport
  • Emily Roberts
    Clover Global Limited

Athletes report poor breast/bra knowledge, breast pain, sports bras causing lacerations and chafing, negatively affecting sports performance. No bra interventions to address these issues are reported. Working with 142 UK female athletes preparing for Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics (27 sports), this multi-phase intervention assessed breast/bra knowledge, preferences, issues via surveys and breast/bra assessments. Data were used to develop two sports bras. A total of 112 athletes were prescribed one of the new bras through individual assessments. After four weeks, wear athletes completed evaluations. Pre-intervention breast/bra knowledge was low (83% ≤average), multiple breast/bra issues were reported and most athletes wore ill-fitting, loose bras, offering limited support. Post-intervention, 63% reported improved knowledge and 97% reported their prescribed bra as better than their original bra. Eighty-seven per cent reported benefitting from this intervention, with 17% reporting improved performance. This intervention effectively assessed sports bra needs, developed and implemented solutions, which improved knowledge and potentially performance for some UK athletes.

Keywords

  • Bras, breast pain, mastalgia, education, breast, comfort
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-200
Number of pages15
JournalResearch in Sports Medicine
Volume32
Issue number1
Early online date16 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024
Externally publishedYes

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