Jul 31, 2008 9:11 am US/Eastern
The World Needs A Better Sports Bra
British Research Team Reports Bouncy Breasts Need Better Bras
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
For marathon runner Vickie Sofsky wearing the right shoes is critical, but so is wearing the right sports bra.
"Of course it's important. When you're running 26 miles you want to be comfortable," Sofsky says.
During vigorous exercises, the breasts can move more than 8-inches: up, down, side-to-side, in-and-out. And now, a new study suggests most bras won't give women the support they need. That could damage breast ligaments and cause breast pain.
British researchers studied 100 women during exercise and they found the size of the breast and the movement of the breasts had little to do with causing breast pain, but the speed the breasts were moving appeared to play a critical factor.
"It was actually the velocity of the speed of the accelerating and decelerating that caused pain," says fitness expert at Memorial Hospital West Rob Herzog. He says today's sports bras were modeled on regular bras designed to stop bounce, not sudden shifts in breast speed.
"By looking at the designs, they're looking at degree of movement, not necessarily slowing velocity or helping in the deceleration of the movement," he says.
Researchers are now trying to develop a 'smart fabric' to stop the problem.
"This could really change the way sports bras are designed," Herzog says.
But for now, nurse and fitness expert Kerry Johnson says first women need to be sure they get a proper fit.
"They should look for bras that come in cup and band sizes, not just small medium and large," Johnson says, "They fit more precisely that way."
Women should also c hoose bras that have individual support for each breast, and make sure they try the bras on, and test them out by mimicking your athletic activities. And remember to replace them regularly.
"The bra should initially fit on the first hook," Johnson says, "If you're getting to the second hook, it means the elasticity is wearing out, and you should change your sports bra."
Some other tips: Make sure you have several bras, and switch them out often. And if you are unsure about the support you need for a particular activity, always go for a higher impact bra.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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