#030 Breast Health Series - Professor Deirdre McGhee Sports bras and breast care

Women's Football Hub Podcast – Breast Health & Performance with Prof. Deirdre McGhee

🎙️ Host: Carolyn Kent
🎙️ Guest: Professor Deirdre McGhee – Sports Physiotherapist, Researcher, and Educator at the University of Wollongong

Episode Overview

In this episode, Carolyn Kent speaks with Professor Deirdre McGhee, a leading expert in breast biomechanics and injury prevention in sport. With over 20 years of experience, Prof. McGhee has conducted pioneering research into breast health and its impact on athletic performance.

The discussion covers:
✅ How breast movement affects performance and posture in female athletes
✅ The importance of proper sports bra support for performance and injury prevention
✅ Common issues athletes face with breast pain and injuries
✅ Best practices for choosing and fitting a sports bra
✅ How coaches and physiotherapists can support female athletes with breast health
✅ The future of breast health research in women’s sport

Key Takeaways

🔹 Breast movement is significant: During an hour of running, breasts can bounce up to 10,000 times, affecting posture and muscle activation.
🔹 Sports bras are essential sporting equipment: Wearing the right level of support can improve comfort, running efficiency, and overall performance.
🔹 Common breast injuries: Impact injuries from contact sports, chafing, and cyclic breast pain can negatively affect athletes.
🔹 How to choose a sports bra: Learn about crop tops, encapsulation bras, and hybrid bras, and how each type provides different levels of support.
🔹 Coaches need to be involved: Educating male coaches on how to have safe conversations about breast health can help normalise the topic in women’s sport.

Resources Mentioned

📲 Breast Research Australia App – A free resource to help women find the right sports bra: www.bra.edu.au
📚 Australian Institute of Sport Female Performance & Health Initiative (AIS FPHI): AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative – A great resource covering all aspects of female athlete health, including breast health.

Follow & Connect

📌 Follow Women’s Football Hub Podcast for more evidence-based discussions on women’s football and athlete well-being.
📌 Connect with Prof. Deirdre McGhee via Breast Research Australia for more on her research and educational initiatives.

🎧 Listen now and learn how optimising breast support can improve athletic performance!