Breast injuries in women's sports: a scoping review of a female-specific sports injury.

Abstract

Objectives: Breast injuries are female-specific injuries that occur across a range of women's sports. Literature investigating this important women's breast health issue is scarce. This review aimed to collate and summarise published research on breast injuries in women's sports, highlighting the limitations and gaps in the literature.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: Studies were included if they investigated breast injuries sustained by female athletes or the use of breast protective equipment in sports.

Results: Eight of the 152 studies identified met the inclusion criteria. Six were retrospective cross-sectional survey studies, and two were case studies. Breast injury prevalence ranged from 26 % to 58 % and was higher in contact/combat sports than in non-contact sports. Most injuries were deemed mild-moderate in severity because most athletes continued to play, albeit with a perceived negative effect on performance. In rare cases, injuries were severe with long-term consequences and required surgical intervention. Breast injury mechanism was sport-specific, and management and prevention strategies were extremely limited, with a very low percentage of injuries reported (~10 %) and a lack of breast injury surveillance.

Conclusions: The paucity of research and lack of awareness and understanding of breast injuries highlights the urgent need for education within women's sports and further research to develop evidence-based management and prevention strategies. Recommendations for future research include assessment of sport-specific mechanisms and incidence, the use of standardized clinical assessment of breast injury severity, long-term consequences, and inclusion of sub-groups of female athletes, such as females with breast implants, developing breasts, and lactating breasts.