How to Deal With Breast Pain When Exercising?
It can be hard to find the time and motivation to fit in regular workouts, but 17 percent of women say they’ve skipped workouts because of a perhaps lesser-known reason — their breasts. Breasts were actually the fourth greatest barrier to physical activity uncovered by researchers in a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health (after energy/motivation, time constraints and health). Most often, women said trouble finding the right sports bra or embarrassment over excessive breast movement kept them from exercising. Breast pain increased with vigorous activity and poor breast support, but knowledge of breast health increased the use of a sports bra as well as levels of physical activity. Past research also revealed that a significant number of women experience breast pain, also known as mastalgia, when exercising. A survey of female marathon runners revealed that 32 percent experienced breast pain, and the pain was significantly related to cup size and was greater during vigorous (as opposed to moderate) physical activity.