Journal of Ergonomics
Open Access

Abstract

Assessing the Effect of Postural Discomfort on School Going Children Due to Heavy Backpacks

Avantika Rai and Shalini Agarwal

In this era, this is very new concern regarding weight of the children carrying heavy school bag. There are many negative consequences, such as heavy load on the developing spine and discomfort. Backpack leads to the development on back pain and other postural injuries. These problems associated with backpack use and have become increasing concern with school children. In this study 300 children were selected randomly for their personal information and postural discomfort was access through interview schedule along with body discomfort chart. Most of the student reported the occurrence of sharp radiating and pins & needle type pain; neck, shoulder, upper back, lower back, leg, knee found sharp pain in male 57.9% while in female 56.6%, whereas in arms, finger, toes, radiating in male 36.6% and in female 39.7% and 41.5%, in male and 45.6% in female pins and needles pain was found in both gender respectively. There was no significant difference of postural discomfort in neck, shoulder, arms, finger, leg, knees and toes but in the upper back and lower back same discomfort found due to heavy backpacks. The result indicated prevalence of postural discomfort high in both gender. Preventive points should be taken while carrying backpacks.�