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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.
Background:
A professional sports bra fitting and issue service was introduced for women entering British Army basic training (BT) in 2020 to address breast health and bra-related issues. However, the suitability of commercial off-the-shelf sports bras for female tactical athletes, designed primarily for short-duration use, remains unclear.
Objective:
We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations to inform British Army sports bra policy and establish a framework applicable to other female tactical athlete populations.
Methods:
A mixed-method multi-study approach was employed (May 2021- September 2023). First, a cross-sectional study was conducted with BT recruits to assess the bra fitting and issue service using questionnaires (n = 244) and semi-structured interviews (n = 7). A concurrent task analysis with subject matter experts (n = 8) identified BT activities that were both physically demanding and challenging for the breast. Second, a controlled laboratory study with recruit-matched civilians (n = 25) examined the performance of various sports bra characteristics during short-duration simulations of military-specific tasks. Finally, a 14-week longitudinal field study of BT recruits (n = 93) monitored sports bra performance during sustained wear, enabling comparisons between laboratory-based simulations and real-world use.
Results:
Despite implementing a bra fitting and issue service, 61% of recruits still reported at least one breast or bra-related issue. None of the four sports bra designs tested fully met the varied demands of BT tasks. Ten key bra design characteristics (e.g. strap configuration, ease of use, support level) were identified across five different BT tasks (physical training, field exercise, military tasks, foot drill and classroom sessions), combining insights from short-duration laboratory simulations and long-duration field use.
Conclusions:
These evidence-based recommendations can enhance breast health, comfort and performance in female military recruits. Findings have broader implications for female tactical athletes in physically demanding occupations, supporting the development of optimised female-specific equipment.
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