It's an important issue for female Karateka of all ages ... but it's an issue that I felt could be better addressed by a female, so I asked Jeffet Jenkins, Nidan, to provide some basic advice for beginners about the sort of chest protection options available to them.Here's what she said:
Protective Equipment for female Kumite
Girls and women need to preserve
their natural beauty by preventing getting knocked or bruised in places. Some
associations or clubs make it compulsory for chest protectors to be worn whereas others don’t.
A chest protector should be the
number one item to wear at all times of training otherwise it is possible to develop lumps in the area were scar tissue has
formed.
I’ve listed two typical types.
The plastic moulded chest protector or the Sports Bra with inserts. What you
choose is a matter of choice. The
younger age group tend to favour the comfort of the sports bra. It is less obvious and more feminine. The example protector looks like a sports bra
and can be washed as normal but it has a slit where the inserts can be placed
as illustrated below. This particular type covers the
breast area. They can be purchased in various cup sizes and styles prices can
vary.
Advantages
They offer protection to the
breast area and part of the ribs.
Disadvantages
It does not protect other
vulnerable areas of the chest such as the sternum, solar plexus and rib cage.
If you don’t mind looking like Dolly Parton but want
all round protection to your breast, chest and rib cage then the Plastic Chest Protector is for
you. It’s not as comfortable as the
sports bra with inserts. You might get
hot and sweaty. The plastic chest
protector is kept in place by sitting inside an elasticated vest top. The fabric can vary and is usually a high
tech fabric. It will feel like you have a shield on but once training you soon
forget about it being there and will be grateful when sparring or in general
training. Male students are usually
concerned when pairing with a female student. They are concerned about hitting
them near the chest area. So don’t be surprised or offended if you are asked by a male student if
you are wearing a chest protector. The
top and protector can be easily washed after each use.
Advantages
Protects the breast, chest, rib cage. There is less
chance of getting a broken rib.
Disadvantage
Uncomfortable at first but takes getting use to
it. May not be suitable for girls under
11 due to the impression of the breast area.
Many thanks to Jeffet for that.
I'd recommend that you visit a store rather than order these items online, as you'll be able to try them on and see what size is best for you. While you're there, get yourself a groin guard too.
All the best,
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
