Breast Size and Exercise

We All Know It

Having larger breasts can make certain exercises and activities more difficult to perform. Often the larger the breast size the harder it is to be active. In fact breast size may keep some women from being as active as they’d like according to a new paper published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ‘Research has shown that women with large breasts experience increased breast motion, which can act as a barrier to participating in physical activity.”

Australian researchers divided 355 volunteer women into four breast size groups; small, medium, large and hypertrophic. The participants were asked to complete a survey to assess their level of participation in physical exercise in the preceding week. They were asked “whether they agreed or disagreed that their breast size affected their participation in physical activity.” Responses on time spent were then compared across the four groups.

Not surprisingly

The researchers found that as breast size increased time spent doing physical activity decreased. Those in the hypertrophic group performed significantly less physical activity compared to those with smaller breasts. Also those in the larger size groups reported doing far less intensive activity than their smaller breast counterparts. They also admitted their breast size limited the amount and type of physical activity they performed.

“Previous research has associated an increased amount of breast motion and exercise-induced breast discomfort with larger breast sizes and vigorous activities,” explains study co-author Celeste Coltman, PhD, professor of sport and exercise science at the University of Canberra, Australia. “It is possible that for women with large breasts and hypertrophic breasts, undertaking vigorous activity is linked to exercise-induced breast discomfort.”

Researchers acknowledged breast size was a potential barrier to women participating in physical activity. So what can be done? The type of activity larger breasted women choose to participate in can make a difference. Low impact activities such as walking, swimming or yoga are a good place to start in improving participation and fitness. To participate it more vigorous activities women should wear a good fitting and supportive sports bra.

Breast Size and Exercise, Low Impact

How Do You Find the Right Sports Bra?

Finding your perfect sports bra can seem challenging when considering the many different sports bras available and the many different activities they are designed for. So where do you start? A few simple guidelines can help you narrow down the myriad of options.

Know Your Size

The very first thing you need to know is your size and to ensure you are wearing the correct size. Hence time spent here can make all the difference in the long run. All you’ll need is a tape measure, a mirror and a visit to our fitting room to determine your size.

Breast Size and Exercise, High Impact

Consider Your Activity

Not all sports bras are created equal. They are often specifically designed for certain activities and the impact levels of those activities. Consequently most sports bras are designed for low, medium and high impact activites. With some brands offering sports bras designed for extreme impact activities. The ultimate in breast support.

  • Low impact sports bras are perfect for yoga, Pilates and other workouts where there isn’t much bounce.
  • Medium impact sports bras are perfect for walking, gym and golf where you won’t experience too much up and down action.
  • High impact sports bras are best for running, dancing, boxing and other high intensity workouts.
  • Extreme impact sports bras are what you put on when you want maximum support for maximum intensity. Netball, long distance running, horse riding are all sports were you would consider such bras.

“These bras contain the breast in the maximum way to provide support and stability to prevent bounce and, in some cases, have more coverage,” Inselberg says. Forget the cleavage, if you want support you need to cover up. Stopping upward bounce is just as important as arresting downward bounce. Enter the Breastband an upper bounce specialist which when teamed with your perfect sports bra offers all round overall support.

All of the other sports bra bells and whistles are a matter of personal preference. It matters little if your new bra is underwired, wirefree or has a racerback if it is not comfortable and supportive. To get you more active size, comfort and support are paramount. Get this right and you can step out in confidence to just about any activity.

Yours in support.

Amy x

Amy Jaffers - Sports Bra Expert

Amy Jaffers

Amy is the face behind Sports Bras Direct, Australia’s largest sports bra website. She's a mother of two, outdoors lover and sports bra expert. Her life mission is to help active women get the support they need as well as assisting women in need through her charitable donations.

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