School Bag Research Articles

Low back pain in schoolchildren: occurrence and characteristics

Low back pain in adolescents is perceived to be uncommon in the clinic setting. However, previous studies have suggested that it may be an important and increasing problem in this age-group. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and important symptom characteristics of low back pain such as duration, periodicity, intensity, disability and health seeking behaviour at young ages. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted including 1446 children aged 11–14 years in the North-West of England. A self-complete questionnaire was used to assess low back pain prevalence, symptom characteristics, associated disability and health seeking behaviour. An additional self-complete questionnaire amongst parents sought to validate pain reporting. The 1-month period prevalence of low back pain was 24%. It was higher in girls than boys (29 vs. 19%; χ 2=14.7, P<0.001) and increased with age in both sexes ( P<0.001). Of those reporting low back pain, 94% experienced some disability, with the most common reports being of difficulty carrying school bags. Despite this high rate of disability, few sought medical attention. Adolescent low back pain is common although medical attention is rarely sought. Such symptoms in childhood, particularly as they are so common, may have important consequences for chronic low back pain in adulthood.

The effect of shoulder-girdle loading by a school bag on lung volumes in Chinese primary school children.

Heavy loading of the spine may induce musculoskeletal problems in children. Local surveys reported frequent overloading of school bags carried by primary school children. The effect of an overweight school bag on the child's lung function has not been reported. To investigate the effect of shoulder-girdle loading on forced expiratory lung volumes in primary school children and to compare this effect with that of an assumed kyphotic posture. Forty-three primary school children, mean age 9.6 years underwent spirometry lung-function measurements, while adopting the following five conditions in random order: free standing; kyphotic standing; standing wearing a backpack weighing 10%, 20% and 30% of their body weight. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). There were no significant differences in FEV1 and FVC between free standing and the 10% body weight load. However, both FEV1 and FVC decreased significantly when the student adopted the kyphotic posture and when the load in the backpack was increased to 20% and 30% of body weight. This study demonstrates a restrictive effect on lung volumes when a school-bag load is heavier than 10% of a child's body weight. Our results also confirm the detrimental effect of a kyphotic posture on pulmonary mechanics and the necessity for health-care professionals to advocate proper postural advice to school children, teachers and parents.

Prevalence of pain related to schoolbag carriage in adolescents

Study design: A descriptive qualitative and quantitative cross sectional study design was chosen.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of lower back, neck, and shoulder pain in 13 to 15 year old scholars in Pretoria, South Africa, and how it related to methods of school bag carriage and perceived weight of school bags.Summary of background data: Unilateral loading has been linked to scoliotic type curves in the adolescent spine. More recent studies have also found that the weight of school bags may be related to the experience of pain, but very little research has been done on the prevalence of this pain.Methods and materials: A stratified random sample of nine schools was drawn from a total of 98 schools in the Pretoria District of the Gauteng Department of Education. The sample of 250 Grade 8 and 9 scholars was randomly selected. A questionnaire of open and closed ended questions was administered with five main sections, namely: demographics, method of carrying school bag, perceived school bag weight, areas of experienced pain, and awareness of adverse postural effects of carrying a school bag.Results: Thirty two percent of the sample reported pain either in the lower back, neck and/or shoulders. Principle Component Analysis and Chi-square tests showed no relationship between how the school bag was carried (over one/two shoulders; in one hand; swopping sides) and scholars’ reports of pain. A high level of significance (0.001 &lt;p&lt;0.042) was found when perceived bag weight was compared to the scholars’ reports of pain.Conclusion: Scholars in the Pretoria area present with a 32% prevalence of pain in the lower back, neck and/or shoulders. This is strongly correlated with the perceived weight of their school bags, regardless of how the school bag is carried.

Effects of load carriage on heart rate, blood pressure and energy expenditure in children

Fifteen male primary school children, aged 10 years, were selected to carry school bags of 10, 15 and 20% of their own body weights, where 0% body weight was used as a control. Maximum oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max) tests were conducted on a motorized treadmill using a continuous incremental protocol. During the load carrying test, subjects walked on a treadmill at 1.1 m s−1 for 20 min at each load condition. Blood pressures were measured before, immediately following, and at 3 and 5 min after every trial. Heart rate and expired [Vdot]O2 were recorded before, during and 5 min after walking using a cardiopulmonary function system. The results showed a significant difference in oxygen uptake, energy expenditure and the recovery of blood pressure rise for between 10 and 20% body weight load conditions. The carrying weight of a school bag for children could be recommended as 10% of body weight because it was not significantly different from 0% load in the metabolic cost.

Changes in gait patterns in 10-year-old boys with increasing loads when walking on a treadmill.

This study examined the gait pattern, heart rate and blood pressure in children carrying school bags of 0 (as control), 10, 15 and 20% of their own body weight whilst walking on a treadmill. When compared to the 0% load condition, the 20% load condition induced a significant increase in trunk forward lean, double support and stance duration, and decreased trunk angular motion and swing duration and a prolonged blood pressure recovery time. The 15% load condition induced a significant increase in trunk forward lean and prolonged blood pressure recovery time. No significant difference was found in the measured parameters between the 10 and 0% load conditions. We concluded that back pack weight should not exceed 10% of body weight in 10-year-old boys.

School bags could lead to back pain in later life

School bags could lead to back pain in later life

What has happened to breakfast?

The beginning of the school year has revealed yet again what some children eat for their breakfast as they travel to school on public transport. Amazing dexterity is displayed as they juggle their school bags with quantities of confectionery which would make all dentists despair of the quest for improvement in oral health. There is clearly no easy answer to inspiring young people to adopt healthy eating habits. As a health visitor, I am always struck how most, if not all, parents express a concern to provide the very best diet for the new family member. Yet somehow, a continuing interest in nutrition become diluted over time as other parenting challenges come to the fore.

WALKING PATTERN ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING LOAD CARRIAGES ON TREADMILL 492

The effect of carrying school bags on children was investigated so as to supply a picture of recommended weight of school bag and prevent vertebral problems. Two dimensional video filming and heart rate measurement were carried out in 10 male students of Primary Six (average 11.6 years) during walking on a treadmill with backpack of 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of body weight respectively. The body height and weight of the subjects were 149.95 ± 5.55 cm and 44.45 ± 11.41 kg respectively. The subjects were requested to walk at a speed of 1.1m/s for 15 minutes on a treadmill, at each condition of carrying. Loads were put inside the backpack placed on the mid back of the subject. 0% body weight was used as a control for carrying. Video tapes were then digitized and analyzed on Peak Motion Measurement System. Results showed no statistically significant difference between different load conditions in stride length, stride rate, double leg support time, swing time and center of gravity height as well as in heart rate. It was found there was significant difference in single leg support time among different load condition. The F-ratio was F(3.36)=3.461, P<0.05. One-way Scheffe Test indicated that there was significant difference in single leg support time only at between 0% and 20% body weight load conditions. Significant difference was found in inclination of trunk between 0% and the other three load conditions. The F-ratio was F(3.36)=11.64, p<0.01, showing there were significant differences in inclination of trunk between 0% and the other three load conditions. The study could not provide any support to the recommendation of 10% body weight as the guideline for carrying school bag among children. It was also found that heart rate could not be used as the only physiological testing parameter of carrying school bag on children. It was suggested that longitudinal study and the study with EMG testing should be carried out in order to provide information on the causes of vertebral problems related to the load of school bags.

Querulous Pejorative Reflections Upon Education Of/For The Absurd Or (to compound the redundancies) Are You Feeling Hung Up Or Put Down In The Old School Bag?*

Querulous Pejorative Reflections Upon Education Of/For The Absurd Or (to compound the redundancies) Are You Feeling Hung Up Or Put Down In The Old School Bag?*

CARRYING OF SCHOOL BAGS BY CHILDREN

Studies have been conducted to determine the most economical way of carrying school bags by children. Six schoolboys between 9 and 15 years of age were used as subjects. They were made to march at 2.5 mph carrying school bags weighing 6 lb in four different positions, i.e. rucksack, low back, across the shoulder, and in the hand. Minute ventilation, oxygen consumption and pulse rate were recorded during the steady state of marching. The rise in those measures was found to be minimal when the bag was carried in rucksack fashion, and maximum values were found when it was carried in the hand; the low back and the side positions being intermediate.