Women cyclists need sports bra support

Women cyclists need as much breast tissue support as women who jog. Surprised? Didn't think that riding a bike was as stressful on your delicate breast tissue as running around the local park?

Contrary to popular myth there are no muscles in the breast. Your breasts are made up of the suspensory Cooper's Ligament (tiny tissues that give breasts shape) which, when unsupported during exercise, can stretch beyond repair and lead to irreversible breast sag. Once breasts have dropped because of stretching these ligaments, nothing can naturally restore them to their former position.

Inadequate breast support, coupled with excessive breast movement, is the most likely cause of sore and tender breasts after exercise. In a survey, 80% of GPs questioned agreed that with the specialist support of a sports bra, stress on the ligaments is reduced. This helps delay the long-term sagging of breasts.

Women cyclists spend long periods of time leaning forward on the handlebars or drops of their bikes. This forward leaning movement coupled with the vibration of riding on roads and trails inevitably leads to breast bounce.

Research conducted by the Australian Institute of Sport with the assistance of a number of women athletes from a variety of sporting pursuits, shows that an unsupported 12B bust can bounce up to 8cm and a 16DD bust up to 19cm during strenuous exercise like running. This can lead to tearing and dragging on the Coopers Ligaments and may result in permanent damage such as breast sag. Wearing a sports bra when exercising is as important to your body as the right footwear.

But just what is a sports bra?

Unlike a regular fashion bra, a sports bra often covers more of the breast and chest area than most other styles available and is usually made with more technologically advanced fabrics, straps and design features.

Just as cycle knicks have been designed to ensure maximum comfort for the cyclist, the sports bra has been engineered to provide maximum comfort and minimal breast movement during various types of physical activity.

Australian sports bra specialist Berlei produces a range of sports bras with features such as: -

• Wire comfort - Underwire cushioning against the body. This improves comfort during bending and leaning.
• Padded straps - Having shoulder straps padded over the shoulder prevent the strap from digging into the neck muscles during movement. It also reduces the stress placed on the neck and shoulder muscles of a heavier bust. The wider width of a padded strap also helps distribute the weight over a larger area - reducing the dig-in effect.
• Moisture management - Some Berlei sports bras use fabrics and linings that feature moisture management properties which will help keep the wearer cooler and drier through the use of Coolmax®. This finish applied to the surface of the fibre draws moisture and heat away from the body and allows it to evaporate through the outer side of the fabric.
• Non-slip straps - Berlei sports bras use a particular quality of strap elastic with a slightly fuzzy construction. The depth or pile that this creates allows the strap adjusters to "bight" into the elastic and stay put. This ensures that the bra is held in place during vigorous movement.

Linings - All Berlei sports bras have been design to sweat in. This means that what is against the skin doesn't scratch, itch or irritate when the skin sweats. Cup linings and seam strippings are often cotton blend or Coolmax®.

A sports crop top or normal fashion bra will not do the trick. Only a sports bra is designed to withstand exaggerated movement of the breast during exercise. And just because you may have a smaller cup size, don't be fooled into thinking a crop-top will suffice. Even smaller breasts may stretch and sag.

For more information on the features and benefits of a quality sports bra, go to the Berlei website at www.berlei.com.au