A new study shows that knowing how a sports bra should fit might save you energyand effortduring workouts.
Here’s what to look for.
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In a tight sports bra, the nine subjectshighly-trained female runnerstook shallower breaths and more breaths per minute.
And that extra work required to breathe took 16 percent more energy.
Anyone would love that.
vice president of research and product innovation at Lululemon, doctorate in neuromechanics
Although Kipps team was studying runners, she believes these findings are relevant for any workout.
It all comes down to: What is the thoracic restriction of that bra on your chest?
That would cross over to other sports as well.
This isnt unusual: Anolder study done in Australia2found 85 percent of people self-grab the wrong sports bra size.
Another possible explanation could be that we look at the fit while were just standing in a dressing room.
Were not actually hyperventilating and getting our chest to expand, Kipp says.
So, how should a sports bra fit?
Unfortunately, not all of us have access to Olympic-caliber sports bra fitters.
The right level of support can be achieved in any of those ways, she says.
vice president of research and product innovation at Lululemon, doctorate in neuromechanics
We all have different slopes of our shoulders.
We have different widths of our shoulders, Murnaghan says.
This might mean it’s crucial that you reach for aracerback styleinstead ofstraight straps, or vice versa.
In addition to the fit, Murnaghan also suggests paying attention to how it feels.
Is the pressure distributed evenly or poking you in any one area?
Is the material on the edges soft enough tokeep your skin from chafing?
Start jumping around and kind of get an idea of how that feels, Kipp suggests.
Kipp, Shalaya et al.
Sports Bra Restriction on Respiratory Mechanics during Exercise.Medicine and science in sports and exercisevol.
56,6 (2024): 1168-1176. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003403
McGhee, Deirdre E, and Julie R Steele.
Optimising breast support in female patients through correct bra fit.
A cross-sectional study.Journal of science and medicine in sportvol.
The effect of breast support on upper body muscle activity during 5 km treadmill running.Human movement sciencevol.
38 (2014): 74-83. doi:10.1016/j.humov.2014.06.001
Powell, Douglas W et al.
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