Sports Bras: A Running Girl’s Breast Friend

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Sports Bras: A Running Girl’s Breast Friend

The Running Bug
23 Sep 2010 4:56 PM
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Sports bra specialist Selaine Saxby from LessBounce on why you’re making a boob if you run without proper support for your breasts.

Find the perfect sports bra for you, see our Sports Bra Reviews.

Ladies running without a sports bra face the prospect of irreversible breast sag. A recent study by Portsmouth University found that breasts move in a three dimensional figure of eight while we run, going up and down, in and out and side to side. This uncontrolled movement puts great strain on the breast’s support structure.


200 Metre Boob Bounce

The research found that each breast moves independently of the body by an average of nine centimetres during each step taken on a treadmill. So while your legs run a metric mile, your breasts bounce up to 135 metres. G cup breasts bounced 14 centimetres per stride or 210 metres per mile and even an A cup moved 4cm with every step.
 
There are two direct results of this breast movement:
  • Pain and discomfort which although temporary affects 56%** of women.
  • Stretching of the Coopers’ ligaments which supports the breast. This is permanent and can lead to an irreversible droop.

Finding Your Breast Friend

As there’s no non-surgical cure, prevention is by the far the best option. For that you need a well fitting sports bra. Here’s how to find the right one for you:
  • Don’t buy the first one you find. There are far more sports bras available from specialist retailers than on the High Street, so have a good look to make sure you are getting everything you want. For example, if you want wires, or side fastenings all these variations are now available in virtually all sizes.
  • Your sports bra should be the correct size for you with no bulges and no gaps.
  • Run on the spot in your bra before taking the labels off. It should feel comfortable and significantly reduce the bounce. If it doesn’t, there will be a better bra out there for you so keep looking.
  • Your sports bra has a limited life and should be replaced every 30-40 washes as the elasticity of the fabric is damaged through use and laundry.


Breast Brands

Shock Absorber have launched a sports bra designed specifically for running – the Run Bra, which is designed to reduce chafing with a soft band, seamfree cups, and covered fastenings. The Run Bra been shown to reduce bounce by 78% and even has reflective strips so if you’re really brave you can run in just your bra.
 
As with trainers, there are other less technical sports bras which offer excellent support including the Triumph Extreme, Freya Soft Cup and the Enell Sports Bra.

Look after your assets whilst running - a good sports bra is as important as a pair of trainers for every woman heading out for a run.
 

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boobs, sports bras, breasts, bounce, support, bras
Comments
  • Westie
    12 Nov 2010 2:59 AM

    It's the ShockAbsorber Run Bra for me everytime. The best sports bra I've ever had.

  • Trout
    8 Jun 2011 10:16 AM

    I wanted to try it Westie but they dont go big enough, stops at 38" and I need a 40"

  • suzie2902
    8 Jun 2011 5:25 PM

    I have a shock absorber run bra too (although boobs not big enough to get a shock really), but they are actually the best sports bra I have used, and no bounce-age at all.