How having big boobs really DOES slow you down and makes running harder
AS if running wasn't already challenging enough - having large breasts can make it all the more difficult.
For those that don't know, it's like running with dumbbells...only they're attached to your chest and they thump against you and weigh you down.
And many female runners with double D's are left questioning if they're actually slowing them down?
Well, a new study appears to have the answer.
The bigger your boobs, the slower you run, scientists at the University of Portsmouth found.
Runners with DD boobs will take longer to complete a marathon than those with an A-cup - even if they have similar fitness levels.
In fact Dr Joanna Scurr, a researcher of Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth and Dr Nicola Brown from St Mary’s University, found that marathon finish times increase by as much as 4.6-8.6 minutes for each increase in cup size.
This means a woman wearing a 32DD sports bra would finish a marathon over 18 minutes behind a woman wearing a 32A, even if they had similar fitness levels and a similar training experience.
Excessive breast motion
This difference is more significant with larger band sizes - for example, a woman wearing a 36DD bra would finish, on average, almost 35 minutes behind a woman wearing a 36A.
This could be down to the amount a woman's boobs move while she is running - with excessive breast motion leading to discomfort.
In fact, the NHS say a woman's breasts can move as much as 15cm while running.
About 50 per cent of the movement is in the vertical, and then 25 per cent is side to side
movement, and the other 25 percent is anterior-posterior motion.
How to find the perfect sports bra fit
When choosing a sports bra, it’s recommended women try on a variety of bras and select the one they feel is most supportive.
A professional bra fitting is always recommended, particularly for larger-breasted women.
It is also recommended that women follow five simple steps to obtain the perfect bra fit:
- The band is horizontal all the way around
- The cups do not bulge or gape
- The under-wire follows the natural curve of the breast tissue
- The front of the bra sits flat against the chest wall
- The shoulder straps are adjusted appropriately
Regardless, that’s about six inches of motion with every stride.
Another recent study also found that running in the wrong sized sports bra shortens your stride.
The research, conducted by Brooks Running and led by the University of Portsmouth, found that women running in a bra with poor support shorten their stride by four centimetres.
This could add up to running an extra mile or 1.5 kilometres over the length of a marathon.
More on fitness and exercise
Despite this, running isn't all bad when it comes to boobs - as it turns out regular running is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from breast cancer.
It’s thought that physical activity regulates hormones including oestrogen and insulin, which can fuel breast cancer growth.
Running also helps women stay at a healthy weight, which also helps regulate hormones and helps keep the immune system healthier.
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