Surprising risks of running and how to prevent them

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Research shows that exercise can have a surprising effect on breast tissue. The results suggest that women with larger breasts may suffer damage to skin collagen fibers during running, underlining the importance of sports bras as a preventive measure.

Breasts and bras move with the body and the force of gravity can stretch the skin and damage collagen fibers, causing unfavorable changes to the tissue that supports breast structure, according to Monica Zimanyi, an associate professor of anatomy at James Cook University’s medical school in Australia. This can have a greater impact on women with larger breasts, and they should wear a sports bra when exercising, according to an article she wrote for the nonprofit media outlet The Conversation.

High-impact sports bras are more effective at reducing breast movement and discomfort than regular bras.

Wired bras may cause injury — higher implant rupture risk

Breasts are composed of mammary glands, fat and ligaments attached to the chest wall, and can change in size and shape due to puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, diet and exercise.

Studies comparing more than 1,000 women aged 55 to 74 — both with and without breast cancer — found no link between bra use (including hours worn per day or underwire presence) and cancer risk. Risk factors for breast cancer include being female, over age 50, having a family history, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption.

Similarly, wearing a bra while sleeping does not affect breast growth, which is regulated by hormones controlled by the brain. However, overall nutrition and health can influence breast size, as losing body fat can also reduce breast volume.

Gravity affects everyone, but larger breasts are pulled downward more strongly, and aging can cause skin and ligaments to stretch. Pregnancy can enlarge breasts, change tissue composition, and stretch the skin and ligaments. Other factors include high body mass index, smoking, and multiple pregnancies.

However, underwire bras can cause injuries if the wire protrudes from its casing and scratches or presses into the skin. A 2023 study found that women with breast implants who wore underwire bras had a 2.7 times higher risk of implant rupture. A 2014 case study also reported that tight underwire bras could block breast veins, causing inflammation, pain and breast hardening. Wearing a properly fitted bra can help avoid these risks.

A study of 309 Australian women with cup sizes from A to K found that only about 10 percent were wearing bras that fit them correctly, regardless of breast size. Medical guidance can help women find the right fit, and research has shown that women with unexplained breast pain experienced symptom relief after switching to properly fitted bras.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.