Postural Compensations and Subjective Complaints Due to Backpack Loads and Wear Time in Schoolchildren

摘要

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of carrying weighted backpacks of up to 20% of body weight on the posture and pain complaints of elementary-school children. Methods: Craniovertebral, forward trunk lean and pelvic tilt angles were measured from sagittal photographs of 62 children (8-11 years old) before and after walking while carrying backpacks containing 10%, 15%, or 20% of body weight. Pain severity after a 6-minute walk with the loaded backpack was recorded. Subjective complaints of pain were assessed using a visual analog scale after walking. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in postural angles and increased complaints of pain after walking with increased backpack loads. Conclusion: These results indicate that typical backpack loads create worsening postural changes due to backpack loads and time spent carrying those loads, putting children at increased risk for injury and pain, the latter of which is a strong predictor for back pain in adulthood. Backpacks are commonly used in the United States in populations thatinclude40millionstudents, 1.4 million active military personnel, 34 million hikers and 4 million Boy Scout youths and leaders. Backpack use by schoolchildren has increased recently because of several factors, including decreased availability of school lockers, increased homework, larger textbooks, and other objects being carried to school, all leading to both an increase in backpack weight and amount of time spent carrying backpacks. Backpacks are associated with complaints of back and neck pain and have been linked to low back problems and pain in youth, with the identification of both weight and duration of backpack carriage as a risk factor for nonspecific back pain in youth. A history of back pain in childhood is the strongest predictor of having back pain and musculoskeletal discomfort in adulthood.