The Bra Controversy: Are Sports Bras a Necessity?

In brief The authors questioned 85 intercollegiate athletes at the University of Washington about breast pain during sports and the kinds of bras they use. Only 20% reported occasional breast pain, usually associated with cold weather or the onset of their menstrual periods. One woman had received a traumatic breast injury during a basketball game, but the area of ecchymosis cleared within ten days. Only 10% of the athletes wore a sports bra. The women stated that bras should be inexpensive, easy to care for, available in many sizes, made of absorbent fabric, and constructed with seamless cups and no irritating clasps.