Current Events > Breast size influences whether women exercise or not

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Women with larger breasts may be more reluctant to exercise regularly but breast reduction surgery may change that, according to a new study.

A woman's cup size has previously been linked to back pain and time spent exercising, but this seems to be the first study to associate breast reduction surgery with improved workout habits.

The small study found that women with larger breasts participated more in recreational group exercises after having breast reduction surgery.

The researchers also found that people with B-cup bras were the most likely to report that they exercised four or more times a week. The data even show a link between speed and the size of women's breasts, with a steady decline in times between women with AA cups to DD cups.

"This study supports the existing literature that breast size can impact exercise habits and demonstrates that women who have undergone breast reduction participate in healthier lifestyle practices," the researchers wrote in the conclusion. "We suggest that if breast size impacts women's participation in sport and fitness, health practitioners and policymakers should advocate for better access to reduction mammoplasty in the publicly funded health sector."

Lead study author Dr. Claire Baxter, a clinical registrar in reconstructive surgery at the Flinders Medical Centre in Australia, tells Yahoo Life that some study participants provided commentary on their exercise habits related to their breast size. Some women who had breast reduction surgery shared these:

"Prior to breast reduction surgery, I would wear three or four layers to hold my breasts down. I'd be self-conscious at group exercise sessions and even changed running routes sometimes so as not to run past places where I knew men might heckle me. I would suffer back pain and also struggle to carry out some exercises e.g., burpees or skipping. Since having surgery, the amount of different exercises that I'm able to complete has increased significantly. I'm now fitter and healthier."

"I always wanted to run, but there was no chance with my previous-size breasts because it was too uncomfortable even wearing two sports bras. Also, it made me self-conscious, as people would stare."

Women's health expert Jennifer Wider tells Yahoo Life that the findings are "not surprising." She adds, "Women with larger breasts tend to avoid high-impact exercise and, as a result, tend to exercise less often than women with smaller breasts."

Personal trainer Sandy Sklar, co-owner of Prescriptive Fitness, tells Yahoo Life that she's also not shocked by the findings. "I have worked with women during my training career who have larger breasts. Certain types of exercises high-impact, plyometrics can be uncomfortable for some," she says.

The biggest concern for many is comfort, Sklar says. "Exercise can be uncomfortable and more difficult for women with larger breasts due to heavier breast tissue that moves with you during workouts," she says. "Its also hard to find good supportive sports bras that fit and can accommodate intense workouts."

Is it big boobs because they're big, or big because they're overweight?

Are these people unaware that sports bras exist?

The biggest concern for many is comfort, Sklar says. "Exercise can be uncomfortable and more difficult for women with larger breasts due to heavier breast tissue that moves with you during workouts," she says. "Its also hard to find good supportive sports bras that fit and can accommodate intense workouts."

health practitioners and policymakers should advocate for better access to reduction mammoplasty in the publicly funded health sector.

oooooh, here it is:

That's what's going on. Lobbying to get Australia to fund another elective procedure, by insisting it's not elective somehow.

If it's more likely to encourage more women to follow a healthier lifestyle, it'll be worth it in the long run. Spending a bit now to shrink your boobs so you'll actually go to the gym then that's a lot less you'll need to pay 40 years from now when all of those people are fat and have diabetes or heart/blood pressure/etc... problems related to inactivity.

Have you ever seen a chick with big tits jogging? They're flopping all over the place. I've been told it's pretty painful, not to mention just generally being in the way with most types of exercises.