Sarah’s Health Notes: The best sports bras (and they’re glam!)
A few months ago, I was suffering with sore neck and shoulders. My genius chiropractor Dominic Cheetham sent me off to buy a soft sports bra with wide shoulder straps to help ease the strain.
Well, I bought one that fitted the prescription and it has never failed to depress me because it reminds me of the grisly undies that I wore for the Second Eleven hockey team at school. Been there, done that, got the sweatshirt! (Decades back and my wants have definitely changed…)
So I was completely delighted when I learnt that Freya Lingerie offers a rather gorgeous Active range of bras that totally fit the bill. The Dynamic Soft Cup Crop Top Sports Bra/£34, comes in white and five colours (including a super glam Hot Crimson), sizes from 28-40, and 11-cup sizes from C to J.
While my sports bra mission began because of aches and pains, exercise is obviously the key mover and umm shaker here - you don't have to be an Olympian to know that bosoms bounce during exercise…
‘The reason is that the breast is made of fatty and glandular tissue, with no muscle. This weak supporting structure is not enough to hold it in place and stop it moving. That can cause several health problems when doing sport – even yoga,’ explains Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, who heads the Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth and whose specialist interest is bra science.
‘The key downside is pain or discomfort during or after exercise, which is reported by up to 72% of women – all sizes and shapes. Our latest study shows 17% are put off exercise because of their breasts. That’s why the development of effective sports bras is so important,’ adds Professor Wakefield-Scurr.
‘Other risks are sagging, poorer performance due to impaired breathing and movement, and embarrassment. Large busts can also affect your posture both when you are still and moving, causing neck, shoulder and/or back pain. The correct support can counterbalance the weight and mass in front, preventing back pain,’ says Professor Wakefield-Scurr.
Small-breasted women often think they do not need a special bra but that is not correct. ‘Breast pain can be linked to hormonal changes through the monthly cycle, so good support helps every size and shape,’ she adds.
Some years ago, breast strain during exercise was evaluated in pioneering research by Professor Wakefield-Scurr, commissioned by Freya. ‘No-one has ever validated the strain the breast experiences during exercise in this way before so it’s great that we’ve been able to identify where the most strain occurs and that Freya Active have a developed a design to protect against this,’ she said.
Now I pop on a Freya Dynamic bra (gifted me by the brand), and instead of feeling glum I feel perky in all directions! And the padded straps are very comfortable. Result!
Finally, here are Professor Wakefield-Scurr’s tips on choosing the right bra, which apply to fitting all bras, not just ones for sport.
1. The under band should be level all round and firm to provide stable fixing with no more than two inches of space when you pull it out at the back. Otherwise, breasts will be supported by the straps, which risks shoulder ache.
2. Cups should fit smoothly: if breast tissue spills over, they are too small, while gaping or wrinkling means they are too big.
3. The shoulder strap should not stretch more than two inches when pulled up.
4. Check under armpits to see that underwired bras sit on the ribs rather than disappearing into breast tissue.
5. The front middle section of an encapsulated bra should sit flat on your ribcage. (Encapsulate bras separate and ‘encapsulate’ each breast, providing more structure.)
6. It may take a few days to wear in a new bra so don’t despair if it feels tight, but don’t choose one so tight you feel you can’t breathe – it may lead to backache, says chiropractor Dominic Cheetham.
