Breast Injuries

Due to their anatomical position on the front of the torso and lack of musculoskeletal protection (McGhee and Steele, 2023; Wakefield-Scurr, Saynor and Wilson, 2023), female breasts are also susceptible to injury when women participate in contact sports such as rugby. Approximately 44–58% of female athletes across a range of sports sustain injuries to their breasts, with the highest prevalence reported to date in sports such as Rugby 7’s, Rugby League, Australian Football, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Water Polo, and Soccer (Smith, Eichelberger and Kane, 2018; Brisbine et al., 2019; Brooke R Brisbine et al., 2020; Laura J., 2022; Bibby, Comyns, et al., 2025). Further, nearly half of the athletes who reported a breast injury perceive that the injury negatively affected their sporting performance (Brisbine et al., 2019). 

Although serious complications are rare, there is potential for damage to the ductal system of lactating breasts, breast implant rupture, developmental breast asymmetry in adolescents (with further links to psychological wellbeing), and benign masses or necroses following an injury to the breast (Dellon, Cowley and Hoopes, 1980; Greydanus, Patel and Baxter, 1998; Jansen, Spencer Stoetzel and Leveque, 2002; Sircar et al., 2010). Consequently, breast injury prevention strategies in sport are a matter of both maximised athletic performance and overall health and well-being.
Two distinct types of breast injuries have been documented in female sport:

• Contact breast injuries caused by a direct impact to the breasts, often resulting in a haematoma or painful bruising.
• Frictional breast injuries caused by the interaction between a bra or uniform and the skin of the breasts, often resulting in an abrasion or chafing. (Brisbine et al., 2019; Dang, Mattock and McGhee, 2025)

Relative risk for contact breast injuries is most closely linked to sports with an element of contact, and concordantly, Rugby athletes sustain a disproportionate incidence of contact breast injuries although as few as 10% of athletes are reporting to their coaches or medical professionals (Brisbine et al., 2019; Brooke R Brisbine et al., 2020; K. Bibby, Kenny, et al., 2025). Classifications for contact breast injuries remain quite broad, encompassing trauma to the breast caused by a direct blow from another athlete (e.g. elbowed/kicked in the chest); or direct contact with a surface (e.g. falling onto chest, tackling) that results in a contusion, bruising, hematoma, oedema, and/or pain (Smith, Eichelberger and Kane, 2018; Brisbine et al., 2019). 

Frictional breast injuries tend to occur most often in endurance athletes (e.g., long-distance runners) when the outer layer of the skin on the inferior and medial aspect of the breast is rubbed over many hours, typically in the presence of sweat, exposing the skin layer below to painful irritation and inflammation (McGhee and Steele, 2023). However, these injuries are also possible in contact sports (Brisbine et al., 2019) and are a necessary consideration when recommending bras and/or potential breast protective equipment to athletes, as these may have hard components or seams that interact painfully with the skin over time and poor bra fit is known to contribute to frictional breast injuries (McGhee and Steele, 2023). Notably, greater breast size is a risk factor for both contact and frictional breast injuries, and although it has not been formally documented in the literature, experts also believe that a lack of education about breast injuries may further contribute to the likelihood of female athletes experiencing contact and/or frictional breast injuries. Education about breast injuries and potential prevention strategies is therefore an essential role of coaching and support staff working with Women’s players.