Heavy Backpacks Can Hurt Students' Backs

August 13, 2004 - Parents and students need to prevent heavy backpacks from placing a lot of burden when returning to school here.

Research by researchers at the University of California Riverside shows that experiencing a heavy burden can cause back pain

This study was led by David Shambanes, the spinal center of the Inland Empire in Riverside California. Participants were 3,500 students aged from 11 to 15 in Riverside and four schools in San Bernardino County.

The researchers weighed the children 's backpack and asked the children how often the backpack was used (if any).

Most students say they have at least a little harm to their backpacks; 64% say they have low back pain. Two children in five answered that they felt a pain when carrying the backpack. About 12% of the students who reported pain were "not bad" and nearly 90% answered back pain "bad" or "very bad".

Of those who reported low back pain, 21% said that pain lasted more than 6 months. About 16% answered that they were absent from school, physical education or extracurricular sports due to pain, and about 17% said they had consulted a doctor due to low back pain. Most students with back pain say recurrent pain

Researchers wrote in the March / April 2004 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics that students with heavier backpack than their own weight are more likely to complain of back pain.

How much is it? Researchers say that the pain is related to the backpack carrying more than 20% of the student 's weight.

Girls are more likely to report back pain than boys. There are few students who have their backpacks, but they have a more serious pain asking to miss classes.

This study did not track long-term back injuries caused by backpacks. However, "According to research, adults with severe low back pain often find the pain as much as a child," Siambanes said at a news conference.

School lockers play an important role in ensuring students' health and well-being, as research supports heavy backpacks that can cause back pain and related problems. In addition to everyday life, this collective weight pressure may cause back pain and discomfort for students with especially heavy luggage including textbooks and electronic equipment. In an environment where it is necessary to allow students to concentrate on learning without distracting attention, it is a serious problem that can understand physical discomfort and pain, which may call attention. Providing learners with a personal space for storing textbooks and heavy electronic items on specific topics when they are not needed will take an important step to reduce stress and thereby prevent unnecessary back pain .

In large-scale studies, more than 33% of children ages 11-14 were aware of back pain. We report that students with heavy backpacks are more painful on the back than students with lighter weight. Heavy duty backpack is thought to increase lumbar intervertebral disc pressures, lumbar curve, and muscle fatigue, all of which can cause lower back pain. The ideal backpack is different, but it is not a substitute for using the correct transportation technique. Use two shoulder straps to distribute weight. The weight itself should not exceed 10-15% of the student 's weight. It is important to tighten the strap so that the weight is as close to the body as possible and bend the waist and knees or bend it in the backpack when lifting the backpack. These techniques help to alleviate some stress on the back. It is also useful to strengthen your back as they can build muscle and make it easy to carry