Relationship between the school backpack load and university students’ posture

Thiago Pereira Veronese,Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro,Dalva Minonroze Albuquerque Ferreira,Iracimara De Anchieta Messias

doi:10.15448/1980-6108.2019.3.33440

Thiago Pereira Veronese, Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2019.3.33440

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Abstract

AIMS: To relate the effect of progressive increases in the load of the school backpack with the posture of university students.METHOD: Twenty-six female university students from the physiotherapy course, aged between 18 and 25 years, were evaluated. Loads of 0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% of the volunteers’ body weight were placed in a backpack on the shoulders of the volunteers. Next, images were captured in the right sagittal plane, processed through Postural Assessment Software (SAPO). The statistical analyzes were performed using Analysis of Variance test.RESULTS: The results obtained demonstrated significant differences in the angles between the elbow and the anterior superior iliac spine when carrying 7% compared to 0% (p=0.001); and the acromion and anterior superior iliac spine comparing 7% with 0%, (p=0.032). In the other measurements, there were no significant differences.CONCLUSION: Loads from 7% of body weight are sufficient to promote postural changes.

Highlights

The two-handle backpack is one of the most practical and commonly used methods for students to carry school supplies, usually supported on the back or bilateral shoulder [1, 2]
The results obtained demonstrated significant differences in the angles between the elbow and the anterior superior iliac spine when carrying 7% compared to 0% (p=0.001); and the acromion and anterior superior iliac spine comparing 7% with 0%, (p=0.032)
Our hypothesis was that loads in school backpacks weighing less than 10% of body weight would possibly cause postural alterations

Summary

Introduction

The two-handle backpack is one of the most practical and commonly used methods for students to carry school supplies, usually supported on the back or bilateral shoulder [1, 2]. When it is too heavy, the backpacks can cause alterations in the trunk posture, generating complaints of pain in the low back, neck, and shoulder [3]. In the United States, more than 92% of children carry backpacks that weigh between 10% and 22% of their body weight [4]. Women are more exposed to postural alterations when compared to men, as they have the habit of carrying more items of daily use in their bags and backpacks, which can make the backpack load too heavy, contributing to the appearance of corporal compensations and postural alterations [7]

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