Sports Bras Cause Pain
In a world where performance and comfort are non-negotiable for athletes, the humble sports bra has long been hailed as an unsung hero. But hold onto your yoga matsnew research is tightening the straps on that very notion.
According to a surprising study out of the United Kingdom, certain types of sports bras may be doing more harm than good by possibly setting off a chain reaction of back and muscle pain. For women who live in athleticwearfrom elite runners to weekend warriorsthis discovery may come as a shock, especially when that sports bra is supposed to be their MVP.
The Tension Beneath the Lycra
Researchers from the University of Portsmoutha respected authority in biomechanics and human movementhave found fresh reason to revisit the design of high-support sports bras. Their focus? Posture and the often-overlooked impact of bra strap tension on upper back, shoulder, and chest muscles.
Turns out, what holds you up may also be dragging you down. The study, which evaluated a group of 20 female runners with varying bust sizes, discovered a subtle, yet consistent shift: when women wore high-support sports bras, their trapezius muscles were more activated. This increase in muscle activity coincided with a slight but measurable forward tilt in posturenot ideal when running efficiency is the goal.
“We know posture affects not just performance but also long-term musculoskeletal health,” said study co-author Dr. Jenny Burbage. “A sports bra shouldn’t be causing fatigue in muscles you’re not even trying to use.”
When Support Becomes a Strain
The irony? High-support brastypically recommended for larger-busted athletes or high-intensity sportsoften rely on tight shoulder straps and firm bands to reduce breast movement. While they do the job bouncing-wise, the study suggests they’re inadvertently overloading the upper back, particularly the trapezius muscle, which plays a critical role in posture and shoulder stability.
Now imagine running a half-marathon while wearing a backpack that subtly pulls your posture forwardkilometer after kilometer. Not exactly ideal, right?
A Run for Better Design
This isn’t a pitch to abandon your sports bra mid-spin class, but rather a call to the apparel industry to better consider long-term wearability, not just bounce reduction. What’s needed, says the research team, is a shift in the design philosophy: more thoughtful engineering that takes into account diverse body shapes and long-term musculoskeletal impact.
It’s not the first time sports bras have come under scrutiny. Athletes have long complained about chafing, shoulder soreness, and that dreaded “digging-in” feeling. However, this is one of the first studies to scientifically link common sports bra features to muscular stress and posture problemsa discovery that’s bound to make ripples in both the sports science and fashion industries.
Dressing for Performance and Health
So what can athletesand weekend joggers aliketake away from all this? For starters, it might be time to re-evaluate your gear. If your trapezius is screaming at the end of your 5K, maybe it’s not your form that needs tweakingmaybe it’s your bra.
Experts recommend trying different styles and fits, looking for features like:
- Wider, padded shoulder straps
- Cross-back or racerback styles that redistribute tension
- Adjustable band widths for better chest support
- Personalized fitting servicesyes, even for sports bras!
The Bottom Line
As with running shoes and hydration strategies, comfort and performance go hand in hand when it comes to upper-body support. And if science is telling us that your sports bra is making you slouch, it might be time to loosen the straps and raise a few design questions.
Your health, form, and pace will thank you.
Author: Jane Doe, Award-Winning Sports Journalist | For more fitness investigations and performance insights, follow me on Twitter.
Source: University of Portsmouth study, as reported by The Moore County News.
