Design and Product Development

STRUNG Sports Bra

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Abstract

This explores the adaptation of adidas’ STRUNG technology—originally for footwear—for female sports bras targeting soccer athletes with large cup sizes (D+). STRUNG uses athlete data to map each thread for precise, flexible, and breathable support. A human-centered approach surveyed 33 athletes, revealing dissatisfaction with existing bras, including discomfort, over-compression, and inadequate multidirectional support. Breast displacement during jumping, sprinting, and lateral movements was studied to define three support zones. A prototype was constructed by hand-stringing elastic threads of varying tension over a laser-cut template and heat-sealing the structure onto a moisture-wicking nylon/spandex bra. Design features included wide, short straps, a scoop neck, and a racerback to optimize comfort and support. The resulting bra dynamically cocooned the breasts, mimicking tendon-like behavior, allowing responsive recovery without rigidity. Initial qualitative feedback indicated high promise. Future research will quantify displacement, expand testing, and refine materials and stringing patterns for optimized performance.

Keywords: Sports Bra Design, Female Athletes, Breast Support, Large Cup Sizes (D+), Athletic Apparel Design, Textile Innovation

How to Cite:

Lacomba, E., (2025) “STRUNG Sports Bra”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21917