The influence of breast support on torso, pelvis and arm kinematics during a five kilometer treadmill run

•This research employed females and examined upper body kinematics, two under published areas.•This study investigated the effect of breast support on torso, pelvis, and upper arm kinematics.•Females adopted marginally different torso, pelvis, and upper arm kinematics in the two bras.•This initial research furthers the knowledge of the effect of breast support on running kinematic.

Many women wear sports bras due to positive benefits associated with these garments (i.e. reduction in breast movement and breast pain), however the effects these garments have on upper body running kinematics has not been investigated. Ten female participants (32DD or 34D) completed two five kilometer treadmill runs (9 km h−1), once in a low and once in a high breast support. The range of motion (ROM) and peak torso, pelvis, and upper arm Cardan joint angles were calculated over five gait cycles during a five kilometer run. Peak torso yaw, peak rotation of the pelvis, peak pelvis obliquity, ROM in rotation of the pelvis, and ROM in upper arm extension were significant, but marginally reduced when participants ran in the high breast support. The running kinematics reported in the high breast support condition more closely align with economical running kinematics previously defined in the literature, therefore, running in a high breast support may be more beneficial to female runners, with a high breast support advocated for middle distance runners.