WHY BOOB ARMOUR®

Does Boob
Protection Really
Matter?

The Evidence is Clear

The vulnerability of the breasts to impact injury in contact sports, breast pain and breast injury are potential issues for female athletes across a range of sporting activities.

In the general population, 44–72% of women have reported experiencing exercise-induced breast pain when they participate in sports and exercise (Brown et al 2016). This breast pain can often be severe enough to limit a woman’s participation in physical activity. (Burnett et al, 2015 Brisbine 2020)

In a recent 2020 survey and assessment of 207 female Australian Football League (AFL), Rugby League, Rugby Union (XVs) and Rugby 7s players, 58 percent of players reported ever experiencing a contact breast injury and 48% perceived that their injury affected their football performance. (Brisbine et al 2020)

Medical Statement by Dr Chantel Thornton, Breast Cancer Surgeon

“Trauma to the breast should be avoided with adequate protection.⁣
⁣
Injury to the breast tissue can cause dead fat necrosis which can lead to lumps in the breast. These can be mistaken for breast cancer and can mean that the female will require biopsies to the breast. This can also make it difficult to detect breast cancer in the future if the patient has multiple areas of fat necrosis in the breast.⁣
⁣
Fat necrosis on clinical examination and on breast imaging often mimics breast cancer and a biopsy is usually required to exclude cancer. It does not however increase a women’s risk of cancer.⁣

Trauma to the breast can also lead to chronic musculoskeletal and breast pain. Pain in the breast is uncommonly associated with breast cancer. Less than 10% of all breast cancers present with breast pain.”

Why protect your breasts in female contact sports?

Breast movement during running and jumping has recently been described by the Research Group in Breast Health Institute at The University of Portsmouth in the UK. During running, 50% of this breast movement occurs in a vertical direction, 25% in a forwards/backwards direction, and 25% in a side-to-side direction with larger breasts having greater movement. In addition it has been shown that the breast does not follow the movement of the chest wall during running, having its own independent pattern of motion. According to research by this group, exercise induced breast pain, thought to be caused by tension on breast skin and internal ligaments/fascia during breast motion is reported in up to 72% of exercising females. (Brown N et al 2016).

However breast pain is not the only problem here

While the breasts are situated over the pectoral muscles on the front of the chest, these muscles do not support the breasts. The main support comes from the skin and internally located Coopers ligaments, which are not strong and may be irreversibly stretched due to excessive breast movement during running and jumping. Of course over time this ligament damage may lead to or accentuate the breasts sagging in an undesirable manner.

Now consider what happens in contact sports such as women’s AFL football

Not only is there a lot of running and jumping there is likelihood of considerable added impact force on the breast(s) during a football match. Dr Brooke Brisbine, Medical Research Scientist at the University of Melbourne, is passionate about increasing awareness of female breast injury in contact sport. In her recently published paper Dr Brisbine stated that 58% of female players reported experiencing a contact injury, and 48% perceived that their injury affected their football performance. These results came from her breast injury survey which was funded by the Australian Institute of Sport and was completed by 297 female Australian Rules Football, Rugby League, Rugby Union (XVs) and Rugby 7s players (Brisbine et al 2020). In addition, a staff survey was completed by 242 coaching and medical staff associated with female contact football teams. Half of the coaches and medical professionals surveyed were not even aware that breast injuries were a problem for female contact football players. It is clear that prevention of breast injury during female contact sports is needed.

So why is this important?

Apart from the pain, and maybe having to miss a game, or having your performance affected, it has been shown that impact bruising to the female breast results in the formation of hard nodules/ lumps in the breast tissue. While not cancerous, these lumps are difficult to differentiate from breast cancer. This may lead to the person suffering a lot of stress and having many tests before Breast cancer can be ruled out. In addition, although some variation in breast size is normal and is common in most women, injury to the breast of premenarchal girls has been shown to result in asymmetrical breast growth (Janse et al 2008), which may cause embarrassment and disrupt self esteem. For this reason, protection against impact in contact sports is important for those girls whose breasts are still developing and where impact is particularly painful.

In summary

It becomes obvious that the female breasts NEED GOOD SUPPORT to minimise breast movement during running and jumping, and be adequately PROTECTED FROM IMPACT in contact sports.

Boob Armour protective inserts

Our Boob Armour inserts are made from soft but strong Polyethylene, 2mm thick. They extend around the under arm for added protection and to better stabilise the insert in position. 7 sizes of Boob Amour shells are available for insertion into regular sports bras & crop tops, giving the breasts greater support as well as protection against impact.

Our breast protection insert has been demonstrated to diminish impact without restricting performance. Working with top researchers this product made by our manufacturer has passed European CE certification for use as a Martial Arts women’s chest protector. This certification means that the product been tested for a range of protective properties such as impact qualities as well as taking into consideration fit and comfort.

So do yourself a favour and get your Boob Armour® today!

Brown N, Burnett E, Scurr J. Is Breast Pain Greater in Active Females Compared to the General Population in the UK? Breast Journal. 2016;22(2):194-201

Brisbine BR, Steele JR, Phillips EJ, McGhee DE. Breast pain affects the performance of elite female athletes. Journal of sports sciences. 2020;38(5):528-533
Burnett E, White J, Scurr J. The influence of the breast on physical activity participation in females. J. Phys. Act. Health. 2015; 12(4):588–94.
Smith LJ, Eichelberger TD, Kane EJ. Breast Injuries in Female Collegiate Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Athletes: Prevalence, Type and Impact on Sports Participation. Eur J Breast Health. 2018 Jan; 14(1): 46–50.)
Brisbine BR, Steele JR, Phillips EJ and McGhee DE. Breast injuries reported by female contact football players based on football code, player position and competition level. Science and Medicine in Football. 2020;4(2):1-8.

Our Boob Armour® inserts are made from soft but strong Polyethylene, 2mm thick

They extend around the under arm for added protection and to better stabilise the insert in position. 7 sizes of Boob Armour® shells are available for insertion into regular sports bras & crop tops, giving the breasts greater support as well as protection against impact.

Our breast protection inserts have been demonstrated to diminish impact without restricting performance

Working with top researchers this product made by our manufacturer has passed European CE certification for use as a Martial Arts women’s chest protector. This certification means that the product has been tested for a range of protective properties such as impact qualities as well as taking into consideration fit and comfort.

Whoever You Are, it’s Time to Start Protecting Your Assets

Hard Ball & Bat Sports

Whether it’s a bat, a ball or an elbow - don’t let lack of protection stand in your way.

Court & Field Sports

Gain more confidence and start kicking goals.

Combat Sports

Be at the top of your game, every time.

Occupational Protection

Do a good job, without getting injured.

A Bigger Problem

While your breasts are situated over the pectoral muscles on the front of the chest, these muscles don’t actually support the breasts.

The main support comes from the skin and internally-located Cooper’s ligaments, which can be irreversibly stretched due to excessive breast movement during running and jumping. Over time, this ligament damage may lead to or accentuate breast sagging.

“At Boob Armour we want to bring breast health into the mainstream conversation. Breast impacts happen in all contact sports and at all levels of play. Just like a mouth guard or shin guards, we aim to make breast protection the new norm in contact, impact & ball sports.”

suzie betts
founder of boob armour

Boob Armour’s® Proud Partners

Contact sports and breast damage

Apart from the pain, having to miss a game or having your performance affected, it has been shown that impact bruising to the female breast results in the formation of hard nodules/lumps in the breast tissue. While not cancerous, these lumps are difficult to differentiate from breast cancer.

Asymmetrical breast growth

Although some variation in breast size is normal and is common in most women, injury to the breasts of premenarchal girls has been shown to result in asymmetrical breast growth, which may cause embarrassment and disrupt self esteem. For this reason, protection against impact in contact sports is important for those girls whose breasts are still developing and where impact is particularly painful.

Boob Armour breast protection

Boob Armour inserts are made from soft but strong polyethylene and are just 2mm thick. They extend around the under arm for added protection and to better stabilise the insert in position. 7 sizes of Boob Amour shells are available for insertion into regular sports bras & crop tops.

Why our customers love Boob Armour®

I love Boob armour. I play a lot of AFLW and I would never play without my boob armour. It is the best investment I have made into my football and would encourage every female to wear boob armour.

This is an amazing product that protects our girls in a physical contact sport. My daughter has been wearing Boob Armour for over a year and never plays a game of football without it.

Efficient delivery of armour. Looking forward to giving it a test run. Personalised note in package.

Excellent product and I feel my daughter will be well protected while playing footy.

Fits well and allows free movement.

Perfect for the task it was purchased for!

Great service easy to order. The boob armour is for my 12 yr old Granddaughter for Christmas I hope she likes them. I will let you know next year what she thinks, Merry Christmas.

“Boob Armour was founded with one ambition. To protect women’s breasts giving athletes confidence to play contact, physical & hard ball sports by alleviating impact & injury.”

suzie betts
founder of boob armour

Does Boob
Protection Really
Matter?

The Evidence is Clear

Medical Statement by Dr Chantel Thornton, Breast Cancer Surgeon