A hit to the breast’s can really hurt - and although women know this it's easy to feel the pressure not to let it show, to be tough and 'suck it up'. It's ironic that we do this when male soccer players will roll around on the ground in agony (at least until they get a penalty) when they take the slightest knock.

Aside from the pain that a hit to the breasts causes, it also takes your focus off the game and reduces your enjoyment of the sport you love. It doesn’t need to be this way now that slim undetectable protective bras are readily available which also double as your sport/support bra.

Impact injuries to the breasts can cause bruising and in severe cases lumps to be formed in the breast. Most studies say these lumps (fat necrosis) are not linked to later in life breast cancer, but it is a difficult injury to study due to the potential of cancers not showing up for many years.

So what are the top 5 sports that our customers are purchasing chest protection for?

1. Boxing

So I guess this is obvious and even if it’s just non-competitive sparring you are in to, a hit to the breast can happen at any time. Breast protection is permitted by AIBA and most national boxing associations. For some amateur competition, breast protection is compulsory.

2. Karate/ Martial Arts

In World Karate Federation (WKF) kumite competition, breast protection is mandatory, and WKF has become something of a leader in athlete care for women in combat sports. The Karate ethos is about being personally rewarded by your participation and sustaining repeated injuries to the breasts is not rewarding! Many other martial arts also encourage breast protection including MMA, Taekwondo, Kung Fu and BJJ.

3. Foil Fencing

Again, breast protection is mandatory for women in Fencing, and has been for more than 20 years. Athlete “duty of care” is important for sports organisations and Fencing was another early adopter of breast protection. All weapons used in Fencing (Foil, Epee and Sabre) have the potential to harm soft tissue in particular, and even though Fencing uniforms provide a level of protection over the whole body, breast protection worn under the uniform is compulsory.

4. Soccer/ Football

Football is one of the most popular sports for women with over 40 million women participating worldwide – and this number is growing. Breast protection has been shown to increase the confidence and enjoyment of women playing football, particularly at non-elite levels. Lightweight breast protection is undetectable under soccer uniforms and also provides the function of a supportive sports bra for about the same cost. Women have more confidence chesting the ball and going into tackles.

5. American Football

This game of legendary clashes is not just limited to men. Many women’s football leagues exist predominantly in the USA, but also in other countries. External body protection items can work well over bone mass, but often just transfers external impacts to the body, especially over soft tissue. Breast protection under the external body protectionencapsulates the breasts and deflects impacts.

Of course there are many sports women participate in where a ball, bat, or fall can cause painful injuries to the breasts. With specialist breast protection in a huge range of sizes available for women nowadays, no matter what sport you are involved in, you can play in confidence!