Abstract
Objective: This study examined the effects of various backpack loads on elementary schoolchildren's posture and postural compensations as demonstrated by a change in forward head position. Subjects: A convenience sample of 11 schoolchildren, aged 8-11 years participated. Methods: Sagittal digital photographs were taken of each subject standing without a backpack, and then with the loaded backpack before and after walking 6 minutes (6MWT) at free walking speed. This was repeated over three consecutive weeks using backpacks containing randomly assigned weights of 10%, 15%, or 20% body weight of each respective subject. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured using digitizing software, recorded and analyzed. Results: Subjects demonstrated immediate and statistically significant changes in CVA, indicating increased forward head positions upon donning the backpacks containing 15% and 20% body weight. Following the 6MWT, the CVA demonstrated further statistically significant changes for all backpack loads indicating increased forward head postures. For the 15 & 20%BW conditions, more than 50% of the subjects reported discomfort after walking, with the neck as the primary location of reported pain. Conclusions: Backpack loads carried by schoolchildren should be limited to 10% body weight due to increased forward head positions and subjective complaints at 15% and 20% body weight loads.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 99-108 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Work |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 18 2012 |
Keywords
- cervical
- Children
- forward head
- posture
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Rehabilitation
- Medicine(all)