Australian sport has a participation problem, especially when it comes to girls and women.

In fact, Australian girls and women are dropping out of organised sports at concerning rates.

Read more: As Brisbane 2032 gets closer, Australian girls are quitting organised sports. What can be done?

There are myriad reasons why this is happening. One barrier that gets little coverage is sports bras.

We recently studied how decision-makers in schools and sports organisations understand breast-related barriers to participation and whether they recognised sports bras as part of the solution.

Why are sports bras so important?

Sports bras are essential for girls and women because breasts move a lot during activities such as running, jumping or quick changes in direction.

This movement can cause pain, chafing and embarrassment, which may discourage participation and hurt performance.

A high-support, properly fitted sports bra can alleviate or resolve these issues and allow girls and women to exercise comfortably.

However, research shows up to 88% of girls wear sports bras that do not fit properly and only about a third wear a sports bra during PE or school sports.

Not including sports bras in school uniforms or sports kits, and not teaching about bra fit and breast health, are gaps that need addressing.

The good news is these gaps can be addressed through practical, achievable changes to assist the health, comfort and performance of girls and women playing sport.

We identified several........

© The Conversation