Influence of backpack weight on school girls' balance and musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND: School age children are in critical stage of their development. They might be carrying heavy backpacks and they are unable to voice their concern and problems. That leaves them more exposed to postural deviations, musculoskeletal problems and balance instability. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to measure the backpack weight carried by Saudi school girls, to determine the influences of backpack loads on ear and shoulder posture level. determine the different influences of backpack weight on musculoskeletal pain and investigate the effectiveness of daily load of backpack on dynamic balance and postural stability. METHODS: A sample of 175 Saudi school girls age between 12-15 years recruited from random five public schools in Riyadh city. A questionnaire was used to evaluate musculoskeletal problems. Postural mirror was used to measure the level of the ears and the level of the shoulders. The balance master machine was used to measure the dynamic balance in three tests (limits of stability, Step /quick turn, Step up/over). RESULTS: The questionnaire showed significant number of girls complain of shoulder (43.43%), neck (32.6%) and back pain (40%), and majority of girls (87.4%) carried their backpack using a single strap backpack, who reported that their backpacks were heavy. The results revealed that most of the students spend more than 4 hours watching television and using computer. There is a significant difference in shoulder level (P<0.000). A significant difference in the balance master variables with carrying and without backpack was reported. CONCLUSION: The results of this study concluded that carrying backpack that is 10.08% of body weight caused girl’s complain of shoulder, neck and back pain, induced postural changes and affected their dynamic balance. The backpack weight percentile is recommended to be reduced to 5% body weight. KEY WORDS: Backpack, Musculoskeletal problems, Posture, Dynamic balance.