Dr Nichola Renwick, senior research associate in breast biomechanics at the University of Portsmouth, said appropriate breast support could lead to marginal gains, which in elite sport can be the difference between a podium finish or not.
“As a research group, we have previously measured lots of different physiological and biomechanical variables between low- and high-support sports bras. When we compared the results, we saw that with low levels of breast support, women reported that exercise felt harder,” said Renwick.
“We also saw that they would breathe less frequently and used their upper body muscles more, and during running they would change to run with shorter steps, and they would land heavier on the ground. All of this effectively will reduce your performance.”
McGhee said her research found a high prevalence of elite athletes were unsure about what to look for in an adequate sports bra or the importance of them.
“We looked at elite rugby league players, elite AFL, league and union. Of adult women, over 50 per cent were wearing bras that didn’t fit correctly and didn’t provide effective breast support,” she said.
“When I looked at international cricket, it was as high as 90 per cent of bras that weren’t supportive enough and didn’t fit … And we know that bras that don’t fit correctly don’t tend to be comfortable, and if you don’t have enough support, there is more likely to be excessive breast movement and breast pain.”
Portsmouth University’s research group in breast health found that running without proper support could reduce stride length by four centimetres. Over the course of a marathon, that means a poorly fitting sports bra would cost women 1.6 kilometres.
If that contributes to a 1 per cent improvement in an individual’s performance, Cardwell noted the benefit would be even greater for a team.
Ahead of the netball World Cup last year, bra fitters visited the England team to measure all the players – the first time Cardwell had heard of such a thing.
The female athletes on the Australian Olympic team won’t be offered custom sports bras as part of the official uniforms and kits, as it is not deemed practicable.
Athletes are offered a sports bra of low or light support that is branded, which can be used if comfortable, but they are advised to wear what they are used to so they can perform at their best.
Cardwell said breast movement in games also had an impact on her body outside of sport.
“I, in the past, have had severe back pain, and honestly having a properly fitted sports bra has reduced my back pain significantly,” she said. “I still do have some back pain … it’s not completely gone. But it’s certainly reduced since I’ve got properly fitted.”
‘A sports bra should be required’
No elite sporting codes or leagues in Australia, including AFL, soccer, cricket or netball, provide sports bras in official kits, or hold organisation-run fittings. Many canvassed for this story said there was no such education at clubs. Individuals can do deals with sponsors, however.
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Furthermore, under Australian tax regulations, women are not allowed to claim sports bras as sporting equipment.
McGhee said she wouldn’t recommend a uniform sports bra be introduced to official kits, but rather an allowance given for a proper fitting and bras that suit the individual, as all breasts are different.
Many sports attire brands offer complimentary fittings in store, which include being expertly measured, while some brands, such as Nike, partner with athletes to provide this. She Science says it offers free fittings for its high-impact sports bras “with the intention of purchase”.
“The other thing that I think is really important that I have complained to sporting organisations about – it’s that they choose a uniform that enables a woman to wear the bra of her choice. If you look at beach volleyball, I hate that uniform. How can they wear a bra underneath that?” McGhee said.
Cardwell agreed: “In soccer, boots and shin pads are required, in hockey, a gum shield is required. When doing all sports, a sports bra should be required.”
There is protective equipment for breasts used by women involved with contact sports, such as Boob Armour and Zena Sport vests. The equipment is used by some AFLW players to protect against bruising or contact injuries.
But Renwick said this was a separate issue. “They are for protecting the breasts from injuries sustained from impacts to the chest and while they are available, they are not commonly used – reported use is between 0 and 17 per cent – and there isn’t a lot of awareness of them,” Renwick said.
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