It's been more than 20 years since Hinda
Miller and a friend went to their campus bookstore,
bought two jockstraps and sewed them together to create
the world's first sports bra.
Not many women would look back nostalgically
on that era. The early sports bras were, in the words
of Dr. Bryant Stamford, of the Health Promotion and
Wellness Centre at the University of Louisville, "as
welcome as an albatross around the neck, and about
as attractive. Because it was tailored only for small-breasted
women, it flattened the breasts and provided all the
comfort of a boa constrictor."
Two decades later, Brandi Chastain showed
the world exactly how far the garment had come, stripping
off her shirt after scoring the final goal of the
Women's World Cup to reveal a sleek Nike product that
was both fashionable and utilitarian. Sports bras
had come out of the closet.
Brandi Chastain
Writing in the journal
Physician and Sportsmedicine, Dr. Stamford makes the
rather obvious observation that vigorous physical
activity causes a woman's breasts to bounce. This
action, he notes, can compromise the skin and ligaments
that provide the fragile support structure for breasts,
resulting in sagging. An everyday bra, plain and simple,
is incapable of preventing the bouncing.
The solution, therefore,
is the sports bra. Their recent prominence, however,
makes the task of choosing the ideal sports bra more
difficult, since the number of options has increased
markedly - as has the hype, with many products making
rather dubious claims.
"Finding the right sports
bra is a serious decision," writes Lisa Sorrentino,
the Fit X-pert at Xchrom.com. "It's just as important
as wearing the right running shoes."
Here, then, are some of
the key aspects to consider before purchasing a sports
bra:
FIT
A crucial criterion, obviously. The bra must fit in
such a manner as to control breast motion without
causing discomfort or any difficulty breathing. Dr.
Stamford urges you to give the bra "the jumping-jack
test" to be sure it is up to snuff. The entire upper
body should move as one unit, he says.
Ms. Sorrentino advises
that women learn and, more importantly, accept their
bra size. Taking your measurements is a good start,
she says. The majority of the problems witdy image,where to play sports,
girls self-esteem, girls soccer, girls cycling, girls and nutrition, nutrition for active girls, Canadian Association for women and sport, girls@play, snowboarding, skating, boarding, girl site, sports girl, extreme girl, mountain biking, skateboards, surfboards, X Games">
SUPPORT
AND CONTROL
There are two types of sports bras: the "encapsulation
version", which has molded cups and provides firm
support, and the "compression' type", which flattens
the breasts against the body. The experts agree that
larger-breasted women are usually better off with
the molded-cup models, especially those that feature
minimal neck- to-navel stretch in the fabric. That
said, some women find that depending on the activity
they're engaging in, and the amount of vertical movement
it demands, they may need to own two different types
of sports bras. Ms. Sorrentino also warns women to
be on the lookout for "dead bra" - the moment when
the fabric loses its functionality. "If you hand wash
and line dry your sports bra instead of machine handle,
it will last about twice as long." she observes. On
average, a machine-handled sports bra will last about
six months. (Chafing, by the way, is a typical complaint
of women who use sports bras, and it's a problem that
can be solved in part by ensuring minimal movement
of the breasts within the bra. "Those with sensitive
skin might want to apply Vaseline, or, better yet,
a fabric-friendly product like Bodyglide between you
and your sports bra," Ms. Sorrentino suggests.
FABRIC
The goal here is to prevent sweat from accumulating,
and this is best accomplished with a bra that's a
blend of at least 50 per cent cotton and a "breathable"
material (such as Lycra mesh). Dr. Stamford points
out that "cotton provides more comfort than synthetic
materials, reduced stretch, and greater support."
It is also widely advised to ensure the bra is lined
under the arms and the breasts with a material that
"wicks away" moisture.
SEAMS
Here's a manufacturing detail you probably wouldn't
concern yourself with when shopping for a bra, but
would later lament if it proves painful to you. Although
the quality of sports bras has in general improved
in recent years, some still have poorly placed seams
that can irritate or promote chafing. The solution:
look for cups that are seamless (or have covered seams)
and insist on hooks or fasteners that are covered
with fabric and cushioned for maximum protection.
STRAPS
Again, something you might not worry about in the
store - but don't overlook the fact that straps can
interrupt your physical activity and prove a real
nuisance when they slip. "Choose wide non-stretch
stretch straps for best results," Dr. Stamford recommends.
"In addition, a wide Y-back panel can help increase
support." Some sports bras offer a two-hook back for
an adjustable fit.
APPEARANCE
Hey, we all want our sports bras to look good and
fashionable, especially those who figure on wearing
the bra on its own without a shirt. That said, don't
fall into the trap of buying on looks alone. If the
bra doesn't meet the other criteria, you won't want
to keep wearing it, no matter how stylish.
Reprinted from the
Ottawa Citizen
Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical
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