An investigation into the prevalence and impact of breast pain, bra issues and breast size on female horse riders.

This research explored how breast pain, bra discomforts, and breast size affect women who take part in horse riding activities. The study determined that a significant proportion of female horse riders experience breast pain and bra issues, which are more common in those with larger breasts, leading to a call for educational initiatives to improve bra fit and support.

Methodology and Participants

• The study involved the distribution of an online survey comprised of six parts with 32 questions. The survey received responses from 1,324 female horse riders.
• The data of 1,265 participants were finally included in the study after applying criteria for the data cleanliness.
• Statistical assessments were performed using descriptive and chi-square analyses. The chi-square test is used in statistics to test the independence of two events.

Key Findings

• About 40% of participants experienced breast pain, with a significant correlation observed between self-reported bra cup size and the degree of the pain experienced. The severity of the pain increased linearly with the size of the bra cup.
• Women who had larger breasts encountered every type of bra-related issue more frequently than those with smaller breasts. These issues were reported by around 59% of all the participants.
• The activity within horse riding that was associated with the most breast pain was the sitting trot.
• Approximately 21% of those who experienced symptoms asserted that their horse riding performance was affected by the breast pain.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Findings from this study highlight that breast pain and ill-fitting bras are considerable issues for female equestrians, especially for those with larger breasts. This pain and discomfort can even impact their riding performance.
• The researchers suggest that efforts should be made to educate female horse riders about choosing the correct bra fit and ensuring proper support while horse riding. This could potentially increase their comfort and mitigate any negative effect on riding performance.