Many students pack textbooks, binders, laptops, pencils, pens, erasers, handicrafts, extra clothes for lunch and physical education into their backpacks before they go to school. The researchers reported that the backpacks they saw weighed more than 40% of the students' weight. Imagine a 60 pound child carrying a 24 pound backpack. The good news is that this health problem can be eliminated through some simple behavior changes.
What can cause injury and what are the good prevention methods?
Research shows that incorrect wear, weight, time, walking distance, unreasonable weight distribution and improper placement of items in the backpack may lead to discomfort, fatigue, muscle soreness, musculoskeletal pain (especially low back pain), respiratory diseases and other problems.
Here are some tips to prevent these problems, including:
Always choose your own backpack.
Choose backpacks with adjustable padded shoulder straps and padded back panels.
Distribute the weight evenly. Load * heavy items close to your back and balance items so that you can stand straight easily.
If the backpack has a belt, please wear it to improve balance and reduce the burden on sensitive neck and shoulder muscles.
Check if your backpack is comfortable. If not, please determine what you can leave at home that day to reduce the load.
If the backpack is still too heavy, consider a schoolbag with wheels.
How do you know which backpack is right for you?
You should always choose the right backpack for you. Make sure the height of the backpack extends approximately 2 inches below the shoulder blades to the waist level, or slightly above the waist. A suitable backpack should have padded shoulder straps, padded shoulder straps, chest and hip straps, and reflective panels. For older students, there is a compartment on the side of the schoolbag. When choosing backpacks for children, be sure to remember that the backpacks they used a year ago may no longer be suitable.
