Education improves bra knowledge and fit, and level of breast support in adolescent female athletes: a cluster-randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
Can an education booklet handed out by a physiotherapist improve bra knowledge and fit, and level of breast support, of bras worn by adolescent female athletes?


METHODS
Cluster-randomised trial with intention-to-treat analysis.


METHODS
115 adolescent females from four regional sporting academies aged 16 yr (SD 1) and with an average Australian bra size of 12B.


METHODS
The experimental group received an education booklet on bra fit and breast support from a sports physiotherapist. The control group received no intervention.


METHODS
The primary outcome was bra knowledge measured by a questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were a pass on the Bra Fit Assessment and the Level of Breast Support tests, and breast discomfort during exercise rated on a 10-cm visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
Four months after receiving the education booklet, the experimental group had improved their bra knowledge 19% (95% CI 14 to 25) more than the control group. In addition, 39% (95% CI 19 to 54) more of the experimental group passed the Bra Fit Assessment test and 30% (95% CI 11 to 47) more passed the Level of Breast Support test than the control group at 4 months. There was no difference in the level of breast discomfort during exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Bra knowledge, bra fit, and level of breast support in adolescent female athletes were all poor but improved significantly after receiving an education booklet about breast support designed specifically for them.


BACKGROUND
ACTRN12609000607279.
McGhee
Deirdre E
DE
Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia. dmcghee@uow.edu.ac
Steele
Julie R
JR
Munro
Bridget J
BJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001940:Breast / Q000293:injuries*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing