Sportswear designed for pregnant women can reduce ‘bump bounce’ by half – even when running.
Portsmouth University researchers found the average bump movement in pregnant women wearing generic fitness clothes was 6.2cm.
In comparison, expectant mothers who wore specialist fitness gear, which can cost up to £60 for leggings, saw movements of just 3.8cm.
The study is the first to test specialised pregnancy sportswear against standard fitness clothing sold on the high street.
Portsmouth University researchers found the average bump movement in pregnant women wearing generic fitness clothes was 6.2cm (models wearing FittaMamma)
The team of biomechanic researchers, led by Professor Joanna Wakefield Scurr, has for years tested breast bounce in bras for lingerie manufacturers and the military.
But this was the first time they have been asked to test clothing’s ability to reduce the bounce and movement of a pregnancy bump during exercise.
Professor Wakefield Scurr said: ‘Even though it was a small scale study, the findings are compelling and statistically significant.’
Her colleague, Sophie Rej, who carried out the tests behind the study, said: ‘Fitness wear is an evolving market.
‘And new maternity fitness wear brands are emerging to meet the changing needs of a woman’s body during pregnancy.
‘Our tests on FittaMamma specialist maternity fitness wear reduced bounce of the bump in all directions by 48 per cent.
‘This suggests this clothing might help women overcome common barriers to exercise, such as pregnancy-related pain.’
The clothing did not have an effect on women’s balance, joint movement or muscle activity, according to the results which were not published in a journal.
In comparison, expectant mothers who wore specialist fitness gear, which can cost up to £60 for leggings, saw movements of just 3.8cm
The study is the first to test specialised pregnancy sportswear against standard fitness clothing sold on the high street (pictured FittaMamma models)
Previous research has shown that while nearly half pregnant women take some form of exercise, very few do enough to meet health guidelines.
NHS guidelines recommend all healthy pregnant women should aim for 30 minutes exercise on at least five days a week to benefit themselves and their baby.
However, the intensity, duration and frequency of exercise all tend to tail off or stop altogether for most women once they’re in their second trimester.
Pregnancy can cause lower back ache and pelvic girdle pain. Supporting the bump and reducing the amount of bounce can alleviate this.
The co-founders of Sussex-based FittaMamma, Deborah Hazeldean and Alexandra McCabe, described the results as being ‘wonderful’.
Ms McCabe said: ‘It fully vindicates what we believed, and we are hoping this will empower more women to keep exercising through their pregnancies.
‘The benefits of staying active are compelling and it’s a dreadful shame so many women stop exercising once they become pregnant.
‘Our aim is to remove the barriers to pregnancy fitness so women can continue to exercise with confidence and support.’
The four women taking part in the study were four-five months’ pregnant and their average age was 32.
In a series of experiments, they were asked to stand, walk briskly and run while wearing the FittaMamma clothes or the ‘standard’ wear.
The standard wear the women were asked to exercise in consisted of Blooming Marvellous leggings and a tank top from H&M.
All of the women had taken part in some form of exercise before becoming pregnant and most were keen to continue.
The participants rated the level of support for the back provided by the FittaMamma clothes at 8.25 out of 10, compared to 3.5 for the ‘standard’ fitness wear.
Support for the hips and pelvis scored 8.75 for the specialist gear, compared to 3.25 in the comparison vest and leggings.
Following the experiments, all four of the women said they felt more confident when their bump was supported.
The clothing did not have an effect on women’s balance, joint movement or muscle activity, according to the results which were not published in a journal (pictured: the FittaMamma gear)
In a series of experiments, the women in the study were asked to stand, walk briskly and run while wearing the FittaMamma clothes or the ‘standard’ wear