Identifying effective design features of commercial sports bras

Abstract

This paper identifies the effective design features of commercial sports bras by evaluating the reduction of breast displacement during activities. Four subjects, with breast and body types representative of Chinese females of age 24–40 years were studied while they performed activities either braless or wearing one of seven different sports bras representative of the range commercially available. The three-dimensional movement of the breasts was derived by videoing the motion of breast markers attached at six different breast positions using a Vicon 3D motion analysis system. The breast displacement relative to the thorax was measured using a validated local “thorax–breast 3D coordinate system”. The results showed that there was a significant difference in breast displacement between the different breast markers. The bra samples generally achieved the greatest reduction in breast displacement in the medial–lateral direction. The reduction in breast displacement was positively related to the gore height, shoulder strap width, neckline height and side seam depth. The underlying mechanism of breast movement and bra support is also discussed. The study concluded that the most effective bras had the following features: compression type, short vest style, high neckline, slings, cross back, bound neckline, no centre gore, no wire, no cradle, no pad and a non-adjustable wide strap. This provides practical guidelines for bra designers and manufacturers to develop more supportive bras for women performing these physical activities.

Evidence-based recommendations for building better bras for women treated for breast cancer

“…Key design features recommended for exercise bras for the general population include a high front to fully enclose breast tissue and limit anteriorposterior breast motion; a large side depth to ensure side breast tissue is kept fully within the cup; and extendable yet semi-rigid shoulder straps that stay in contact with the body throughout the movement (Zhou, Yu, and Ng 2013). These features are relevant to the breast cancer cohort, but must also be combined with improved adjustability for fit, and an awareness of the aggravation of breast scar tissue by the functional bra components (band, underwire and stitching).…”

“…Historically, exercise bras that encapsulate the breasts individually in separate cups (encapsulation bras) have been shown to be more effective in limiting breast motion and related breast pain than bras that compress the breasts as a single unit against the chest wall (compression bras) (Mason, Page, andFallon 1999, Lorenzten andLawson 1987). Recent studies indicate, however, that for women with smaller breasts, compression bras appear the most effective in limiting breast motion and related breast pain (Zhou, Yu, and Ng 2013), whereas women with larger breasts find bras that incorporate a combination of encapsulation, elevation and compression most effective (McGhee and Steele 2010a). Regardless of style, a good sports bra must be comfortable to wear, limit breast motion, and be constructed from materials which are primarily non-elastic, non-abrasive and have good moisture management properties (Krenzer, Starr, and Branson 2005).…”

Breast motion asymmetry during running

“…The mass of the breast has also been shown to be related to the suprasternal notch to nipple distance, with increases in breast mass being associated with inferior migration of the nipple during static conditions (Brown et al, 2012). During dynamic movements, the motion of the soft tissue of the breast is governed by the driving force of the trunk (Haake & Scurr, 2010), the viscoelastic properties of the breast tissue (Gefen & Dilmoney, 2007) and any external breast support garment being worn (Singha, 2012;Zhou, Yu, & Ng, 2012a). During physical activities such as running, breast mass asymmetry may result in different kinematics for each breast based on the same driving force of the trunk.…”

“…During physical activities such as running, breast mass asymmetry may result in different kinematics for each breast based on the same driving force of the trunk. A single breast (left; Zhou, Yu, & Ng, 2012b;right;Bridgman, Scurr, White, Hedger, & Galbraith, 2010;White, Scurr, & Smith, 2009) is commonly used to make recommendations on improvements to breast support design (Zhou et al, 2012a) and to investigate the effect of breast support levels on breast kinematics and exercise-induced breast pain (Bridgman et al, 2010;Scurr et al, 2010;White et al, 2009).…”

The movement of the trunk and breast during front crawl and breaststroke swimming

“…However, as the sports bra was able to reduce breast displacement during both swimming strokes, aspects of its design could help to inform improvements in swimsuit design for larger-breasted women. Swimsuits that incorporate elements of sports bra design such as adjustable straps and structured seams (Zhou et al, 2013) may help to minimise breast displacements, especially during front crawl (since the greatest amount of breast displacement occurred during this stroke) and also during breaststroke swimming.…”