Comparing Sports Bra Design in Full Busted Women
Condition: Breast Pain; Mastalgia; Back Pain; Back Strain; Back Pain, Low; Neck Pain; Chest Pain; Activity, Motor; Aging Well; Weight, Body; Body Image
MeSH terms: Back Pain; Neck Pain; Chest Pain; Mastodynia; Body Weight; Low Back Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The goal of the current project is to assess performance of the Bounceless Control sports bra
      versus: (1) the Shefit Ultimate Sports bra, and (2) conventional bra as worn by participants
      in a variety of athletic activities.
    

Detailed description: 
      Research has shown that during activities such as running and jumping, bare breasts move up
      and down as much as 12 cm. This is due to insufficient anatomical support within the breasts
      (https://sma.org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/exercise-and-breast-support/).

      Conventional bras do not provide enough breast support during athletic activities.
      Additionally, dynamic breast movement induces motion/slippage of conventional bra straps,
      skin chaffing due to friction, and skin irritation/abrasion/soreness due to impression of
      metal fixtures (e.g., hooks, underwires, etc.) within the bras. In response to the
      inadequacies of conventional bras, the first sports bras were invented in 1977. The sports
      bra (originally known as the "Jogbra") is considered a groundbreaking item which helped
      remove a major barrier to women's participation in athletic activities. The original Jogbra
      was created by sewing 2 mens athletic supports together.

      While the design of Jogbra was simple in its original form, updates to modern materials and
      sewing techniques over the past 45 years has spawned a wide variety of sports bras that are
      available worldwide. Modern sports bras vary in materials and construction techniques. These
      features dictate the sizes available for the bras was well as recommended uses for the bras.
      Most commercially available sport bras are designed for low to medium impact activities in
      sizes ranging from extra small (US bra size 32A) to extra large (40C). The design of most of
      these sports bras are similar to the original Jogbra design.

      Despite the availability of sports bras in many sizes, materials, and constructions, women
      with larger breasts (cup sizes C+) still experience excessive breast movement during
      exercise, even while wearing a sports bra. Such movement is uncomfortable and may be
      embarrassing. Both breast discomfort and embarrassment are recognized as significant barriers
      to physical activity in women. Women with larger breast sizes thus require greater support
      from their sports bra
      (https://sma.org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/exercise-and-breast-support/).

      Unfortunately, due to the commercial desire to keep costs as low as possible in production of
      sports bras, the materials and designs used in most sports bras remain inadequate for women
      with larger breast sizes. In many cases, women with larger breast continue to wear a
      conventional bra underneath a sports bra or 2 sports bras together for increased breast
      support during athletic activities.

      Recently, 2 companies (Shefit and Bounceless) have attempted to address this issue in the
      marketplace. Shefit is the larger of the 2 companies working to offer more supportive sports
      bra options. A recent study of sports bra performance in women with breast sizes ranging from
      AA-DD found that the Shefit Ultimate Sports bra performed similar to other sports bras
      offered by large manufacturers of athletic equipment (e.g., Nike, Underarmor) (Gibson et al.
      2019). The Bounceless project was omitted from such testing. The Bounceless Control sports
      bra offers additional support beyond the Shefit Ultimate Sports bra as it is a long line
      (additional fabric that extends below the bust) sports bra with an internal breast band to
      support breasts during activity while also preventing multidirectional accelerations of
      breast material during activity.

      The goal of the current project is to assess performance of the Bounceless Control sports bra
      versus: (1) the Shefit Ultimate Sports bra, and (2) conventional bra as worn by participants
      in a variety of athletic activities.

      References:

      Gibson TM, Balendra N, Ustinova KI, Langenderfer JE. Reductions in Kinematics from Brassieres
      with Varying Breast Support. International Journal of Exercise Science. 2019;12(1):402-411.
    

Intervention name(s): Conventional bra; Bounceless bra; Shefit bra
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): This study involves use of a cross-sectional observation and analysis of behavior using a cross-over approach in assessing breast motion while using a conventional bra (bra condition #1).; This study involves use of a cross-sectional observation and analysis of behavior using a cross-over approach in assessing breast motion while using a provided Bounceless bra (bra condition #2a).; This study involves use of a cross-sectional observation and analysis of behavior using a cross-over approach in assessing breast motion while using a provided Shefit bra (bra condition #2b).
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: This study involves use of a cross-sectional observation and analysis of behavior using a cross-over approach in assessing 2 sports bra models.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Basic Science