Concerns over their breasts are pushing English schoolgirls to skip sports and exercise, a new study has shown. There were 2,089 school girls aged 11-18 that took part in the study, which involved surveys. The researchers formulated a survey to "assess demographics, breast characteristics, breast-specific concerns in sports, breast knowledge, views on breast education, and sport participation."
"The results of this study show that the breast has a substantial influence on sports and exercise, with 46 [percent] of girls reporting that their breasts had an effect on their participation in compulsory sport," researchers said. The study was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
This was seen more in teenage girls aged 13-14 (51 percent). It was also prevalent in larger-breasted girls, with 63 percent saying that their breasts affecting their participation.
Bodily Changes Are Driving Girls Out of Sports https://t.co/KAgBdbicv1
— NYTimes Well (@nytimeswell) May 2, 2016
Girls' Breast Concerns Over Sports High
At least one breast-specific concern in sports was mentioned by 73% of the girls. Breast bounce came on top, accounting for 38 percent of the girls' concerns.
The New York Times reported that the girls felt that "their breasts were too big or too small, too bouncy or bound too tightly in an ill-fitting bra." It added that girls were embarrassed to change in locker rooms and were uneasy to exercise and "move with abandon."
The researchers found that there were more girls who were engaged in compulsory sport more than three times a week that were concerned about "how sports bras should fit." However, among the girls surveyed, more than half said they had never worn a sports bra and only 10% always wore one during sports and exercise.
Breast Influence On The Physical Activity Of Women
An April 2015 study looked into the influence of breasts on women's physical activity. There were 249 women who took a breast health and physical activity survey which assessed bras, bra fit, physical activity, breast pain, comments and improvements, breast history and demographics. The study was published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
Researchers found that the breast hindered the physical activity participation for 17% of those surveyed. The most prevalent breast hindrances were "I can't find the right sports bra" and "I am embarrassed by excessive breast movement."
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