Biomechanics Research Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
J Sci Med Sport. 2010 Nov;13(6):568-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2010.03.003. Epub 2010 May 7.
Ill-fitting bras and insufficient breast support can lead to the development of musculoskeletal pain and inhibit women participating in physical activity. This study aimed to systematically determine the best method for women to independently choose a well-fitted bra. The bra size of 104 women (mean age=43.5±13.2 years; average bra size=12DD; band size range=10-24, cup size range=A-G cup; Australian sizes) was determined through self-selection and bra size measurements. This was compared to the "correct bra size" as determined by professional bra fitting criteria, which were also used to assess the bra fit of each participant's own bra. Eighty-five percent of the participants were found to be wearing ill-fitting bras and the bra sizes determined by self-selection or using bra-sizing measurement systems were significantly different to the correct bra size (p<0.001). Therefore, women were found to have a poor ability to independently choose a well-fitted bra, which was not improved by trying on several bras or using bra-sizing measurements. Education of professional bra fitting criteria may offer medical practitioners and allied health professionals a simple strategy to improve the ability of their female patients to independently choose a well-fitted bra.
不合身的胸罩和不足够的乳房支撑会导致肌肉骨骼疼痛的发展，并抑制女性参与体育活动。本研究旨在系统地确定女性独立选择合适胸罩的最佳方法。通过自我选择和胸罩尺寸测量，确定了 104 名女性（平均年龄=43.5±13.2 岁；平均胸罩尺寸=12DD；带尺寸范围=10-24，罩杯尺寸范围=A-G 杯；澳大利亚尺寸）的胸罩尺寸。将其与专业胸罩贴合标准确定的“正确胸罩尺寸”进行比较，该标准还用于评估每位参与者自己胸罩的胸罩贴合度。发现 85%的参与者佩戴不合身的胸罩，自我选择或使用胸罩尺寸测量系统确定的胸罩尺寸与正确的胸罩尺寸明显不同（p<0.001）。因此，发现女性独立选择合适胸罩的能力较差，即使试穿几副胸罩或使用胸罩尺寸测量也无法提高。专业胸罩贴合标准的教育可能为医疗从业者和相关健康专业人员提供一种简单的策略，以提高其女性患者独立选择合适胸罩的能力。
