OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN APPLIED RESEARCH BY A RESEARCH TEAM
SILVER
University of Wollongong
Breast elevation and compression decrease exercise-induced breast discomfort
This innovative project involved the development of a sports bra to enable women with large breasts to exercise in comfort. The project's objective was to design a bra to decrease exercise-induced breast discomfort and bra-fit discomfort experienced by women when they participate in sport or physical activity.
The study revealed that greater breast elevation and compression provided significantly more comfort during physical activity for women with larger breasts when compared with one of the most supportive encapsulating sports bras available in the Australian market.
The project team felt concerned that studies has shown that up to 70 per cent of females regardless of age and bra size had reported suffering exercise-induced breast discomfort during such exercises as running and jumping, which may lead to a reduction in women enjoying the many health and social benefits of sport.
20 women with large breasts ran on a treadmill under three bra conditions, including using the experimental bra that forms the basis of this project. Subjective data was collected and this project found that a sports bra that both elevated and compressed breasts could decrease exercise- induced discomfort
The project resulted in an innovative new bra-design that will allow women with larger breasts to participate in physical activity without the negative health consequences associated with bra discomfort. The end result is an international patent application for the bra design that has recently been licensed to a United States based company.
|
