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Establishing Suitable Bra Characteristics for Tactical Athletes: A Mixed-Method Multi-Study Approach
Emily Paines1, Gemma Milligan1, Mike Tipton1
1School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, Research Group in Breast Health, University of Portsmouth, Spinnaker Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2ER, UK.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|December 16, 2025
Summary
Despite a bra fitting service, 61% of British Army recruits experienced breast or bra issues. This study identified key bra design characteristics needed for female tactical athletes
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- A sports bra fitting and issue service was implemented for British Army basic training (BT) recruits in 2020.
- The suitability of standard sports bras for female tactical athletes remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop evidence-based recommendations for British Army sports bra policy.
- To establish a framework for other female tactical athlete populations.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-method approach combining cross-sectional surveys (n=244), interviews (n=7), task analysis (n=8), laboratory simulations (n=25), and a 14-week longitudinal field study (n=93).
- Assessed bra fitting service effectiveness, identified breast-challenging BT activities, and evaluated sports bra performance during simulated and real-world military tasks.
Main Results:
- 61% of recruits reported breast or bra-related issues despite the fitting service.
- No tested sports bra designs fully met the diverse demands of BT tasks.
- Ten critical bra design characteristics were identified across five BT task categories.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based recommendations can improve breast health, comfort, and performance for female military recruits.
- Findings support the development of optimized, female-specific equipment for tactical athletes in demanding roles.
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