Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Standard Standard

Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention. / Wakefield-Scurr, Joanna; Jones, Melissa; Jones, Brogan et al.
In: Research in Sports Medicine, 21.05.2024.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

HarvardHarvard

Wakefield-Scurr, J, Jones, M, Jones, B, Whatling, E & Mehta, R 2024, 'Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention', Research in Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

APA

Wakefield-Scurr, J., Jones, M., Jones, B., Whatling, E., & Mehta, R. (2024). Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention. Research in Sports Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

CBE

Wakefield-Scurr J, Jones M, Jones B, Whatling E, Mehta R. 2024. Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention. Research in Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

MLA

VancouverVancouver

Wakefield-Scurr J, Jones M, Jones B, Whatling E, Mehta R. Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention. Research in Sports Medicine. 2024 May 21. Epub 2024 May 21. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

Author

Wakefield-Scurr, Joanna ; Jones, Melissa ; Jones, Brogan et al. / Hidden support for the lionesses : a breast/bra intervention. In: Research in Sports Medicine. 2024.

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hidden support for the lionesses

T2 - a breast/bra intervention

AU - Wakefield-Scurr, Joanna

AU - Jones, Melissa

AU - Jones, Brogan

AU - Whatling, Emily

AU - Mehta, Ritan

PY - 2024/5/21

Y1 - 2024/5/21

N2 - Despite health and performance benefits of appropriate breast support in sport, elite women athletes' knowledge of breasts/bras is poor leading to poor bra choices, breast pain and performance decrements. This multiphase intervention assessed breast/bra issues and preferences, individually prescribed sports bras and evaluated outcomes for the England Senior Women footballers. Breast/bra workshops were delivered to England players; all 36 completed pre-intervention surveys and breast/bra assessments, before being prescribed bras six weeks before European and World Championships (2022, 2023). 24 players completed post-intervention surveys. Pre-intervention outcomes identified poor knowledge, poor bra fit, many bra issues, and cultural sensitivities. Breast pain was prevalent (61%), with 25% reporting clinically significant breast pain. Post-intervention, players reported significant improvements with prescribed sports bras. 91% reported improvements in knowledge and benefiting from the intervention. This successful intervention provided an evidence-base for ongoing breast health initiatives with England Teams, plus roll-out to all levels of women's football.

AB - Despite health and performance benefits of appropriate breast support in sport, elite women athletes' knowledge of breasts/bras is poor leading to poor bra choices, breast pain and performance decrements. This multiphase intervention assessed breast/bra issues and preferences, individually prescribed sports bras and evaluated outcomes for the England Senior Women footballers. Breast/bra workshops were delivered to England players; all 36 completed pre-intervention surveys and breast/bra assessments, before being prescribed bras six weeks before European and World Championships (2022, 2023). 24 players completed post-intervention surveys. Pre-intervention outcomes identified poor knowledge, poor bra fit, many bra issues, and cultural sensitivities. Breast pain was prevalent (61%), with 25% reporting clinically significant breast pain. Post-intervention, players reported significant improvements with prescribed sports bras. 91% reported improvements in knowledge and benefiting from the intervention. This successful intervention provided an evidence-base for ongoing breast health initiatives with England Teams, plus roll-out to all levels of women's football.

U2 - 10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

DO - 10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761

M3 - Article

C2 - 38771254

JO - Research in Sports Medicine

JF - Research in Sports Medicine

SN - 1543-8627

ER -