Researchers work with adidas on new sports bra collection

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth have worked in partnership with adidas on their new sports bra collection to tackle significant impact of poor support on sport participation and performance.

With women’s needs being historically under-served when it comes to sportswear designed for the female form, today adidas unveils its extensive new sports bra collection after undergoing extensive research, development and multiple testing stages. With studies showing breasts can undergo damaging skin stretch without the right bra, and widespread dissatisfaction amongst every day and elite athletes that is hindering performance and participation in sport, the collection comprises of 43 new styles across 18 product franchises.

adidas worked closely with the Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth, who found that if breasts are not properly supported during running, they experience the same G force as an F1 driver and could undergo potentially damaging skin stretch. Meanwhile, unsupported breasts can move up to 19cm during star jumps and nearly half (46 per cent) of schoolgirls who were surveyed reported their breasts affected their participation in sports.