Do static and dynamic activities induce potentially damaging breast skin strain?

Abstract

Background/AimThis study aimed to quantify breast skin strain and strain rate and the effect of support garments at reducing strain and to determine characteristics that correlate with strain during static and dynamic activity.Methods39 women (UK size 32C to 36G) had electromagnetic sensors applied to their breast skin. Sensor coordinates were recorded while standing, walking, running, in no, low and high breast support conditions, plus bare-breasted in the estimated neutral position to calculate strain. Relative breast coordinates and 35 inter-sensor distances identified peak breast skin strain (%) and strain rate (%·s-1), which were then correlated with nipple kinematics, breast pain and participant characteristics.ResultsMean peak breast skin strain was generally <60% during standing, walking and running; however, some individuals exhibited 93% strain in bare-breasted running. Compared with low support, high support did not further reduce strain during standing and walking. Peak breast skin strain/strain rate location was longitudinal, in lateral and medial breast regions and displayed strong correlations with breast volume, body mass index and bust circumference.ConclusionStatic and dynamic activity did not result in excessive breast skin strain, suggesting low risk of skin damage. However, during running, some individuals experienced excessive skin strains (up to 93%) and strain rates (up to 1258%·s-1). Breast skin strain/strain rate location suggests lift is required in the lateral and medial bra cup to reduce strain, particularly in larger breast volumes due to increased skin strain risk.

A Systematic Analysis of 3D Deformation of Aging Breasts Based on Artificial Neural Networks

“…The clinical-or health-related impact of measuring the deformations of the aging breast during arm abduction helps to determine the magnitude of the tissue's response to loading with low intensity but large motion range. As per Norris' study in 2020, it was reported that strains on breast skin and other supporting structures were associated with the etiology of breast pain and skin damage [56]. Previous research works were conducted to study the strains of breast skin during walking or running and the correlation under various breast conditions [57,58].…”

“…Underbust girth, breast circumference, and across-cup were usually used to determine the cup size [60]. Cup size and underbust girth were the most used variables to group participants for studying breast biomechanics, which may indirectly confirm that breasts with larger volume displaced increased static and dynamic breast skin strains [56,57]. However, from our study, shoulder to BN, FNP to BN, left BN to right BN, and shoulder angle were almost as important as underbust girth, breast circumference, and across-cup.…”

The Impact of Breasts and Bras on Physical Activity Amongst Women and Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…115 Of the few studies that have examined other modalities of physical activity, results suggest breast biomechanics and perceptions of breast impacts on physical activity vary considerably between walking, running, and jumping. 86,110 Thus, our understanding of the impact of breasts and bras on athletes and in sports/movements outside of running, especially in contact sports, is limited and is a needed focus area of future research.…”

The incidence of breast health issues and the efficacy of a sports bra fit and issue service in British Army recruits

“…Exercise-induced breast pain remains an important health complaint that can significantly impact on the exercising females' physical performance, health and overall well-being (Brisbine et al 2020;Brown et al 2014b;Burbage and Cameron 2017). Furthermore, excessive breast movement during running can produce large forces on the breasts causing unnecessary breast skin strain and irreparable skin damage affecting breast aesthetics (Norris et al 2020).…”