Athletic Training Practice Exam

Which structure should a female athlete's sports bra provide enough support to prevent stretching?

1. Skin

2. Pectoralis major

3. Cooper's ligaments

4. Nipples

The correct answer is: Cooper's ligaments

The structure that a female athlete's sports bra should provide support to in order to prevent stretching is Cooper's ligaments. These ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the breast by supporting the breast tissue. They are connective tissues that anchor the breast to the underlying pectoral muscles and the skin, helping to maintain its position and shape. During physical activity, the breasts experience significant movement, which can lead to overstretching or damage to the Cooper's ligaments if proper support is not provided. A well-designed sports bra helps to minimize excessive movement and reduces the risk of strain on these ligaments, promoting comfort and potentially reducing long-term changes to breast tissue. Other structures, while they may be involved in the overall support and function of the breast, do not need the same level of focused support that Cooper's ligaments require. The skin provides a superficial covering and sensation, the pectoralis major is a muscle that does not need to be supported directly by the bra, and the nipples, although sensitive, are not susceptible to stretching in the same way that breast tissue connected to the ligaments is. Thus, the importance of Cooper's ligaments in maintaining breast integrity during athletic activities highlights why the correct answer is focused