A prospective 1-year study on load reduction of school backpacks shows reversible changes of body posture in schoolchildren

Abstract

Background The impact of backpack carrying on body postural changes in schoolchildren has been discussed intensively. However, findings are inconsistent mainly due to the lack of long-term results. Objective The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of backpack weight on body posture and prevalence of back pain. Methods In our prospective, comparative study, we investigated the influence of backpack weight on 77 schoolchildren (average age 10.8 ± 0.7 years) over a 1-year period. Participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study by clinical examination and formal static posture analysis. Forty-nine students comprised the control group while 28 students in the intervention cohort had the weight of their backpacks reduced by 2 kg. All students were reevaluated after 6 and 12 months by formal postural examination. Results Children with reduced backpack weights had a significantly improved bending posture when wearing their backpacks when compared to the participants of the control group, whereas the analysis of the children while they did not wear their backpacks revealed no difference between the groups. Within the follow-up period all postural changes were reversible once the backpack weight was removed. Conclusions Schoolchildren with heavy backpack loads show postural changes while carrying their backpack but this impact was reversible when backpacks were removed. Continuous reduction of backpack loads minimizes prevalence of back pain.

Screening and Early Identification of Spinal Deformities and Posture in 311 Children: Results from 16 Districts in Slovakia

“…Studies show that there are genetic, ergonomic, and lifestyle factors that may trigger these postural changes [32]. Studies also show that schoolchildren with heavy backpack loads show postural changes [34, 35] as well as obesity in children [36].…”

Narrative review of the prevalence and distribution of acute pain in children in the self‐care setting

“…In this analysis, the prevalence of back pain was 10.0–76.2% in 17 studies 3,21–23,25,29,30,114,119,126,128–134 (Table 4), neck pain was 5.0–49.0% in 15 studies, 28,29,113,114,119,122,125,127,135–141 shoulder pain was 9.6–48.0% in eight studies, 28,29,113,114,122,138,141,142 and spinal pain was 14.2–66.0% in six studies 116,118,139,143–145 . In studies where a breakdown of pain in different regions of the back was available, the prevalence of pain ranged from 4.0–57.0% for the lower back in 23 studies, 28,114,115,117,119–125,127,130,135–138,141,146–150 3.4–41.3% for the upper back in nine studies, 28,114,122,123,127,130,137,138,141 and 4–35% for the middle back in four studies 125,130,135,151 .…”

World´s COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures in the context of postural and spine disorders in primary school children in Slovakia

“…From the point of kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system, anti-pandemic measures in the form in which they were introduced and how long they lasted supported the development of hypokinesia in children, which has been understood as a major cause of postural disorders since the 1980s (24). To date, several experts in the fi eld of postural disorders in children and adolescents identify with this (25,26). E-learning and abolished of organized physical activities introduced during the corona highlighted children's hypokinesia.…”