--- source_url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_bra?utm_source=openai" title: Sports bra - Wikipedia mirrored_at: 2026-08-30T01:31:41.395Z host: en.wikipedia.org cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_bra__q__utm_source_openai" --- > **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_bra?utm_source=openai From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Not to be confused with [training bra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Training_bra "Training bra"), which is designed for beginners, nor sports vest, which has an electronic tracking device inside and is worn by athletes of all genders. Front view and back view of a woman wearing a sports bra A **sports bra** is a [bra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra "Bra") that provides support to the [breasts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast "Breast") during physical exercise. Sturdier than typical bras, they minimize breast movement and alleviate discomfort.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Hyde-1) Many women wear sports bras to reduce pain and physical discomfort caused by breast movement during exercise. Some sports bras are designed to be worn as outerwear during exercise such as running. There are also sports bras with extra padding for exercises that involve some kind of trauma to the breasts.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Hyde-1) The sports bra was deemed a serious innovation which gave women the confidence and comfort to play sports, which came with a revolution in women's sport. In 2022 its inventors, [Lisa Lindahl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Lindahl "Lisa Lindahl"), [Polly Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polly_Smith_\(inventor\) "Polly Smith (inventor)"), and [Hinda Miller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinda_Miller "Hinda Miller") (née Schreiber), were admitted to the US [National Inventors Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_Fame "National Inventors Hall of Fame").[\[2\]](#cite_note-2) The first commercially available sports bra was the "Free Swing Tennis Bra" introduced by Glamorise Foundations, Inc. in 1975.[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) Jogbra, back view with packaging, "The Professional Athletic Support Bra That Keeps Breasts from Bouncing" The first general exercise bra, initially called a "jockbra", was invented in 1977 by [Lisa Lindahl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Lindahl "Lisa Lindahl") and theater costume designer [Polly Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polly_Smith_\(inventor\) "Polly Smith (inventor)") with the help of Smith's assistant, [Hinda Schreiber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinda_Miller "Hinda Miller"). Both Lindahl and her sister, Victoria Woodrow, complained about their bad experience exercising in ordinary bras, having experienced runaway straps, chafing and sore breasts. During the course of Lindahl and Smith's exploration for a better alternative, it was suggested that what they needed was a [jockstrap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockstrap "Jockstrap") for women's breasts.[\[4\]](#cite_note-Distillations-4) In the costume shop of Royall Tyler Theatre at the [University of Vermont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Vermont "University of Vermont"), Lindahl and Smith actually sewed two jockstraps together and nicknamed it a "jockbra". It was later renamed a "jogbra".[\[4\]](#cite_note-Distillations-4) One of their original Jogbras is bronzed and on display near the costume shop of the theatre. Two others are housed by the [Smithsonian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution "Smithsonian Institution") and another by the [New York Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art "Metropolitan Museum of Art").[\[5\]](#cite_note-5) In 1990, [Playtex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playtex "Playtex") purchased Jogbra from Lindahl and her partners. This was followed by research by Christine Haycock, associate professor of surgery at the [University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Medicine_and_Dentistry_of_New_Jersey "University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey"). She measured breast movement of women running on treadmills. Sought out by bra manufacturers for her expertise, she advocated wide bottom bands for extra support and firm straps that minimized breast bounce. Renelle Braaten, a Montana hairdresser, struggled to contain her [DD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra_size "Bra size")\-sized breasts while playing racquetball and volleyball. Unable to interest mainstream bra manufacturers, she collaborated with freelance apparel designer Heidi Fisk, and founded Enell Incorporated. After considerable lobbying, she persuaded [Oprah Winfrey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey "Oprah Winfrey") in 2001 to try her bra. This led to very positive reviews in _[O: The Oprah Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O:_The_Oprah_Magazine "O: The Oprah Magazine")_, a 2001 appearance on _[The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oprah_Winfrey_Show "The Oprah Winfrey Show")_, and a huge surge in orders.[\[6\]](#cite_note-history-6) In 1999, at the [1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup_Final "1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final") in [Pasadena, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasadena,_California "Pasadena, California"), after scoring the fifth kick in the [penalty shootout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_shootout_\(football\) "Penalty shootout (football)") to give the United States the win over [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_women's_national_football_team "China women's national football team") in the final game, [Brandi Chastain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandi_Chastain "Brandi Chastain") celebrated by spontaneously taking off her jersey and falling to her knees in a sports bra. The image is considered as an iconic photograph of a woman celebrating an athletic victory. It was the first time that an international woman footballer had removed her top, exposing her sports bra.[\[7\]](#cite_note-Longman-7)[\[8\]](#cite_note-8) Sports bras can either encapsulate or compress breasts. Bras that encapsulate breasts have molded cups designed to fit around each breast. Bras that compress are designed to restrict movement by holding the breasts firmly against the body. Encapsulation-type bras are generally more effective at reducing discomfort, while compression bras may be more effective for high-intensity activities. The most common sports bra is basically designed like a [tank top](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeveless_shirt "Sleeveless shirt") with the bottom half cut off. Other designs use gel and water pads, silver fibres, and air bags. A stitchless bra was made by [Wacoal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacoal "Wacoal"), was molded, compressed, and shaped. A compressed bra is designed to push the breasts against the chest to reduce movement and bounce. Other bras are knitted in circular patterns, giving varying stretch and support.[\[9\]](#cite_note-casselman-9) A common design uses a stretchable, absorbent fabric such as [Lycra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycra "Lycra") designed to reduce irritation by drawing [perspiration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspiration "Perspiration") away from the skin. Sports bras are also worn by women after certain surgical procedures. In those situations, a front-closing sports bra with a compression, seamless cup is recommended for healing and comfort. Certain fabrics such as Lycra have been found to help reduce swelling and help "even-out" a bustline that has been altered by a surgical procedure. Sports bras are also manufactured for men with large breasts to enable them to take part more comfortably in physical activity. Some descriptions used euphemistically to describe bras for men are chest binders, compression vests or shimmels.[\[10\]](#cite_note-Bumgardner-10) Problems arise from the shoulder straps of standard bras. Standard well-fitting bras are constructed in the form of a "square frame", with all dimensions adjusted for each woman in a normal standing position, with arms to the sides. When a woman performs an activity which requires her to lift her arms above the shoulders, the frame is strained because it is anchored by the chest band, putting direct pressure on the shoulder [trapezius muscles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezius_muscles "Trapezius muscles"). This may result in neck and shoulder pain, numbness and tingling in the arm and headaches.[\[11\]](#cite_note-11)[\[12\]](#cite_note-ryan-12) To avoid such problems the bra's shoulder straps are usually crossed at the back, or the bra is worn [halter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halterneck "Halterneck")\-style. A woman wearing sports-bra and [boy shorts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_shorts "Boy shorts") as [casual wear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casual_wear "Casual wear") while walking in public, [Sydney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney "Sydney"), 2012. Different physical activities require different levels of breast control: - [Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga "Yoga"), [walking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking "Walking") and [gardening](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardening "Gardening") require only "light" control; - [bicycling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycling "Bicycling"), [power walking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_walking "Power walking") and [hiking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking "Hiking") require "moderate" control; - [tennis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis "Tennis"), [football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football "Association football") and [jogging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jogging "Jogging") require "firm" control; and - [running](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running "Running"), intense [workouts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workout "Workout"), [boxing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_boxing "Women's boxing") and [horseback riding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseback_riding "Horseback riding") require "maximum" control. Some female athletes are concerned that a sports bra may interfere with breathing, but even though increased pressure on the rib cage has been demonstrated, no significant effect on breathing can be shown.[\[13\]](#cite_note-13) All of the women in the United Kingdom's 2020 Olympic team were fitted with custom bras to deliver comfort and benefit. Research by Joanna Wakefield-Scurr indicates that an ill-fitting bra can shorten an athlete's stride by 4 centimetres (1.6 in). A survey found that about a quarter of women athletes suffer breast pain. Women rowers were offered different designs to runners because the latter suffered higher impacts and this necessitated individual support for each breast. In the case of competitive shooters the purpose can just be to keep them out of the way. [Lorraine Lambert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_Lambert "Lorraine Lambert") had a special design because she is a competitive shooter. She has to avoid her breasts touching her gun which could result in disqualification.[\[14\]](#cite_note-14) Lisa Lindahl, [Hinda Miller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinda_Miller "Hinda Miller") (née Schreiber), and Polly Smith were inducted into the [National Inventors Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_Fame "National Inventors Hall of Fame") in 2022 for their patented sports bra.[\[15\]](#cite_note-15) - [List of bra designs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bra_designs "List of bra designs") - [Athleisure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athleisure "Athleisure") - [Fitness fashion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitness_fashion "Fitness fashion") - [Spandex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandex "Spandex") - [Sportswear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportswear "Sportswear") - [Underwear as outerwear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwear_as_outerwear "Underwear as outerwear") 1. [1](#cite_ref-Hyde_1-0) [2](#cite_ref-Hyde_1-1) Thomas E. Hyde, Marianne S. Gengenbach (2007). [_Conservative Management of Sports Injuries_](https://books.google.com/books?id=uzPwfNYyjjUC). Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 863\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [9780763732523](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780763732523 "Special:BookSources/9780763732523"). 2. [↑](#cite_ref-2) Honderich, Holly (11 May 2022). ["The 'jockstrap' that revolutionised women's sports"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61387881). _BBC News_. 3. [↑](#cite_ref-3) Zorn, Marc (2014-09-18). ["When Were Sports Bras Invented"](https://visionlaunch.com/when-were-sports-bras-invented/). _Vision Launch Media_. Retrieved 2022-12-31. 4. [1](#cite_ref-Distillations_4-0) [2](#cite_ref-Distillations_4-1) Roberts, Jacob (2017). ["Women's work"](https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/magazine/womens-work). _Distillations_. **3** (1): 6–11. Retrieved 22 March 2018. 5. [↑](#cite_ref-5) Dorschner, Cheryl (30 March 2005). ["History-Changing Garment Born in Theater Costume Shop"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140516195454/http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=article.php&id=1598). Archived from [the original](http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=article.php&id=1598) on 2014-05-16. [PDF](http://www.uvm.edu/theview/pdfs/033005.pdf) 6. [↑](#cite_ref-history_6-0) ["A History of the Sports Bra"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100217012334/http://www.ladiesonlysports.com/somehistory.html). _Women's Adventure Magazine_. March–April 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.ladiesonlysports.com/somehistory.html) on 2010-02-17. 7. [↑](#cite_ref-Longman_7-0) Jere Longman (July 5, 2003). ["The Sports Bra Seen Round the World"](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/05/sports/soccer-the-sports-bra-seen-round-the-world.html). _New York Times_. 8. [↑](#cite_ref-8) ["100 Greatest Sports Photos of All Time #14 - Brandi Chastain - Women's World Cup"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130121113040/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/main/photos/1212/100-greatest-sports-photos-of-all-time-final/14). _Sports Illustrated_. 10 July 1999. Archived from [the original](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/main/photos/1212/100-greatest-sports-photos-of-all-time-final/14) on 21 January 2013. 9. [↑](#cite_ref-casselman_9-0) Casselman, Anne (2005). ["The Physics of Bras"](https://discovermagazine.com/2005/nov/physics-of-bras). _[Discover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discover_\(magazine\) "Discover (magazine)")_. **26** (11). Retrieved 2014-07-31. 10. [↑](#cite_ref-Bumgardner_10-0) Bumgardner, Wendy. ["Men Who Need Chest Support"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070906065439/http://walking.about.com/od/sportsbras/a/sensmensbra.htm). [About.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/About.com "About.com"). Archived from [the original](http://walking.about.com/od/sportsbras/a/sensmensbra.htm) on 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2011-01-13. 11. [↑](#cite_ref-11) Kowalske, Karen (August 2006). ["Health Watch -- Women's Health: Bra Straps"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060921054302/http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept16498/files/311483.html). _The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center_. Dallas. Archived from [the original](http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept16498/files/311483.html) on 21 September 2006. 12. [↑](#cite_ref-ryan_12-0) Ryan EL (December 2000). "Pectoral girdle myalgia in women: a 5-year study in a clinical setting". _Clin J Pain_. **16** (4): 298–303\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1097/00002508-200012000-00004](https://doi.org/10.1097%2F00002508-200012000-00004). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [11153784](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11153784). 13. [↑](#cite_ref-13) Bowles, KA; Steele, JR; Chaunchaiyakul, R (September 2005). ["Do current sports brassiere designs impede respiratory function?"](https://doi.org/10.1249%2F01.mss.0000177590.75686.28). _Med Sci Sports Exerc_. **37** (9): 1633–40\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1249/01.mss.0000177590.75686.28](https://doi.org/10.1249%2F01.mss.0000177590.75686.28). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [16177619](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16177619). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [11323078](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:11323078). 14. [↑](#cite_ref-14) ["'They're not treating us as small men': Team GB women get the right bras"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/18/theyre-not-treating-us-as-small-men-team-gb-women-get-the-right-bras). _the Guardian_. 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-21. 15. [↑](#cite_ref-15) ["Complete list of NIHF inductees"](https://www.invent.org/NIHF-hall-of-fame-inductees-list-alphabetical). _Official website of the National Inventors Hall of Fame_. Retrieved 13 June 2022. - Given, Karen (February 24, 2017). ["From the 'Jockbra' to Brandi Chastain: The History of the Sports Bra"](http://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/02/24/sports-bra-lisa-lindahl). _[Only a Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_a_Game "Only a Game")_. [WBUR-FM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBUR-FM "WBUR-FM") ([NPR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR "NPR")). Retrieved February 27, 2017.