Assessing current maternity/nursing sports bras and providing recommendations for future product development
Abstract
Purpose
Many pregnant and post-natal women do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. One barrier to PA for these women is finding suitable sports bras because of the numerous changes the breasts undergo. This study aims to assess current maternity/nursing sports bras in terms of purchasing activity, likes and limitations of products and determine the essential characteristics and features required for future product developments.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods deductive sequential approach was taken using an online questionnaire and in-person focus group interviews. A total of 308 participants who were pregnant, had given birth within the last 12 months or were nursing at the time of data collection completed the questionnaire, and 13 participants also took part in focus group interviews.
Findings
Only 15% of maternity/nursing sports bra purchasers found exactly what they wanted with most problems relating to support, design and fit. Support and comfort were the most important characteristics with 94% and 98% of participants rating them as very important or absolutely essential. Easy nursing access, adjustability, product longevity and value and availability, in terms of where products can be purchased and sizing range, must also be considered for future products to meet user groups’ needs and reduce barriers to PA.
Originality/value
This study investigates the requirements and preferences of maternity/nursing sports bras for both pregnant and post-natal women, including an assessment of a range of commercially available products. These findings provide important implications for future product developments.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the participants for taking the time to complete the online questionnaire and take part in the focus groups. The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.
Citation
Reeves, K., James, R.M., Griggs, K.E. and Mears, A.C. (2024), "Assessing current maternity/nursing sports bras and providing recommendations for future product development", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-12-2023-0138
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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