Give your breasts a sporting chance

Women's breasts have long been seen as symbols of sex, beauty, and motherhood. But as female sport surges in popularity, and with the Lionesses outperforming our men's team, the spotlight is shifting to how breasts move. Tanith Carey explores further

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While the main function of breasts is to feed a baby, there's no doubt they can get in the way during exercise, especially when they are not properly supported. But first, what exactly are they made of?

Most breasts are composed of 80-90% fatty and connective tissue, with the rest made up of milk glands and ducts.

Your breast size will vary according to a range of factors, including genetics, hormones, weight, age and the proportion of fatty tissue they contain.

For a UK woman wearing a 36DD bra - the most common size - each breast typically weighs between 1.5-2.2lb, or 700-1,000g, which is roughly the weight of two cans of tinned tomatoes.

Yet despite their weight, breasts have surprisingly little support. They contain no muscle. On the outside, they're only held in place by our skin.

On the inside, they are supported by fine strands of fibrous tissue called Cooper's ligaments, which run through each breast like a cobweb. But these stretch over time, particularly if they are not contained by well-fitting bras.

Why your bra size tends to be measured incorrectly

Bra sizing is notoriously unreliable. Researchers at Australia’s University of Wollongong say cup sizes are so unreliable that bra-fitters measuring the same woman can get different results - depending on whether she is breathing in or out or has her hands in the air or by her sides.

Instead, a more accurate way to gauge size is volume, with some scientists suggesting bras should come in millilitre measurements to estimate precisely how much they need to contain. When the Australian researchers placed breasts in water to get better estimates, they found the average size breast has a volume of around 642 ml - about the same as a large bottle of beer.

Your breasts have their own movement patterns