Thesis
Developing Sports Bras for Young Arthritic Women: Required Features and Functions
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005455
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/119212
Abstract
In the United States, arthritis affects millions of people, specifically 26% of women. Despite being a leading cause of disability, most retailers do not carry arthritic friendly or accessible sports bras. The purpose of this study was to explore and develop design requirements for functional sports bras for young arthritic women to help retailers and academia better understand their needs. Using a sequential mixed methods study design, the user centered design (UCD) framework was applied to identify the required features and functions needed for sports bras and organized using the functional, expressive, and aesthetic (FEA) model based on a quantitative survey and qualitative virtual focus group interview. Based on the market research, survey, and focus group interview, it was found that most sports bras come in five basic styles, have front fastening mechanisms, use synthetic blends, most do not have adjustable straps, and most provided adequate sweat wicking abilities. Arthritic and elderly bras all fastened in the front and none had adjustable straps. It was indicated that body temperature control, support, comfort, fit, donning and doffing, material flexibility, strap design and adjustments, fastening systems, modesty ranges, design, and aesthetics all needed improvement. Therefore, more accessible sports bras for young arthritic women must have large, front fastening systems for easy donning and doffing, adjustable straps with easy to use front mechanisms, flexible materials that mold to the chest for support without using boning or wiring, good body temperature control, sweat wicking, and breathability. To optimize comfort, itchy or bulky materials should be avoided, seams should be minimal, and the under band should sit lower and be less tight. Design styles should include a wider range of modesty and trendy aesthetics to appeal to more and different types of consumers with built-in cup padding to hide nipping. In terms of size, sports bras for arthritic women should be made for a variety of body shapes and sizes with easy adjustability to account for occasional body swelling. The proposed designs of sports bras would meet the user requirements and be inclusive to young women with arthritis.
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Details
- Title
- Developing Sports Bras for Young Arthritic Women: Required Features and Functions
- Creators
- Lindsay Amandes McCoy
- Contributors
- Chanmi Hwang (Advisor)Hang Liu (Committee Member)Armine Ghalachyan (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 99
- Identifiers
- 99900592256801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis