Sports bras may severely harm your back: Check out your wardrobe
Certain type of sports bra can damage your back (photo: Freepik)
Some popular sports bras that seem comfortable and stylish can actually harm your back. One specific model has been identified as one to avoid, reports Health.
Which sports bras are harmful
Wearing a high-support sports bra during workouts can unintentionally place pressure on the spine.
Lead researcher Chris Mills said that a 26-year-old woman with a 34DD bra size was involved in the study. They attached several sensors to her body and asked her to complete three running trials. During the first, she wore no bra, during the second she wore a casual bra, and during the third she wore a sports bra.
The research team measured how her breasts, torso, and spine moved with the different types of bras. Based on these measurements, they developed a computer model and used it to predict how her body might respond to a bra that eliminates breast movement.
The computer model showed that a bra that eliminates breast movement increases the force on the joints. Bras designed to prevent breast movement may unintentionally create more strain on the spine during physical activity, which can lead to back pain.
High-support sports bra (photo: Getty Images)
Why excessive support can cause pain
According to Mills, when breasts move during running or other exercises, the surrounding soft tissues absorb part of the force acting on the joints and spine.
A sports bra that is too tight can eliminate this bounce, increasing pressure on the spine again. As a result, the back muscles must work harder, which in turn increases spinal load.
According to Sokolovsky, sports bras with extremely high support may have other drawbacks as well. They are typically made with more fabric, which means they may not wick sweat as effectively. They also tend to fit the body more tightly and provide more coverage, which can restrict chest expansion during breathing.
What to pay attention to when choosing sports bras
The type of sports bra you should use largely depends on your personal preferences and the type of physical activity you engage in.
A bra with minimal or no support may cause breast pain, while a high-support bra may place more strain on the body.
If the sports bras already in your wardrobe generally suit you, one way to determine how each of them performs is to wash them in cold water and hang them to dry. Most sports bras are made from a combination of spandex and either nylon, polyester, or cotton.
A sign it might be time to replace it: the material seems stretched out, and your breasts bounce more than they used to while running.
When buying a new sports bra, make sure it fits your body properly.
Also, avoid bras that are too loose. Over time, this can lead to skin chafing.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
