Research in the BRL aims to improve bra fit and bra design

Biomechanics of Breast Health

Encouraging participation in regular physical activity is of paramount importance to lower obesity levels and positively affect cardiovascular fitness, injury prevention, cancer incidence and overall wellbeing.  Given the benefits of exercise, it is concerning that many females refrain from physical activity due to the pain and/or embarrassment associated with excessive breast motion.  In fact, ~50% of females, regardless of bra size, age or health status, report suffering exercise-induced breast discomfort during exercises involving running and jumping, and this leads to many females reducing their physical activity participation.  In addition, our research highlighted that ‘bra discomfort’ was ranked as one of the highest perceived barrier to exercise in females living with a diagnosis of breast cancer.  To minimise excessive breast motion and the associated breast discomfort, it is essential that women wear a well-fitted, supportive bra as the female breast contains no supportive muscle or bone.  Although sports bras have been shown to successfully reduce vertical breast displacement and exercise-induced breast discomfort, the bras best at limiting vertical breast displacement are also typically ranked the most uncomfortable to wear.  For a bra to be comfortable and provide adequate support, it must fit properly.  Correct bra fit is imperative to good health as ill-fitting bras have been reported to contribute to poor posture and secondary musculoskeletal dysfunctions suffered by women.  These symptoms can be so severe as to force large breasted women to seek reduction a breast reduction or inhibit these women from participating in physical activity.  Despite the importance of correct bra fit, surprisingly greater than 70% of women wear the wrong size bra.  As a well-fitted and supportive bra can alleviate up to 85% of these symptoms, allowing females to exercise in greater comfort and possibly removing the need for breast reduction surgery, strategies that can ensure correct breast support are vital.  Our research in the BRL aims to improve bra fit and bra design so that all women, irrespective of age, breast size, or disease status, are able to participate comfortably in physical activity and enjoy the health benefits associated with an active lifestyle.

Selected publications:

• McGhee, D.E. & Steele, J.R. Optimising breast support in female patients through correct bra fit. A cross sectional study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.  2010. 13(6): 568-572.
• McGhee, D.E. & Steele, J.R. Breast elevation and compression decreases exercise-induced breast discomfort.  Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 2010, 42(7): 1333-1338.
• Gho, S.A., Steele, J.R., & Munro, B.J. Is bra discomfort a barrier to exercise for breast cancer patients? Supportive Care in Cancer, 2010, 18(6): 735-741.
• McGhee, D.E., Steele, J.R., & Munro, B.J. Education improves bra knowledge and fit, and level of breast support in adolescent female athletes: A cluster-randomised trial.  Journal of Physiotherapy, 2010, 56(1): 19-24.
• Bowles, K-A., Steele, J.R. & Munro, B. What are the breast support choices of Australian women during physical activity? British Journal of Sports Medicine 2008; 42: 670-673.
• McGhee, D.M., Steele, J.R. & Power, B.M. Does deep water running reduce exercise-induced breast discomfort? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007, 41: 879-883.
• Campbell,T.E., Munro, B.J., Wallace, G.G. & Steele,J.R. Can fabric sensors monitor breast motion? Journal of Biomechanics, 2007, 49(13): 3056-3059.
• McGhee, D.M. & Steele, J.R. How do respiratory state and measurement method affect bra size calculations? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006, 40(12): 970-974.
• Bowles, K-A., Steele, J.R. & Chaunchaiyakul, R. Do current sports brassiere designs impede respiratory function? Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 2005, 37(9):1633-1640.
• Page, K-A. & Steele, J.R.  Breast motion and sports brassiere design: Implications for future research (Leading Article).  Sports Medicine, 1999, 27(4): 205-211.