17.3.2: Backpacks
- Page ID
- 243577
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Explain recommended backpack weight limits for school-age children.
- Identify associated health risks of improper use.
- Identify practical strategies to reduce backpack-related strain and promote safe use.
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\). A school-age boy wearing a backpack. Image by Muhammad Ali Raza is licensed by Pexels.
Backpacks are a daily necessity for school-aged children, but when overloaded or worn improperly, they can pose risks to a child’s musculoskeletal development. Organizations such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that a child’s backpack weigh no more than 10–15% of their body weight (APTA, 2020; ACA, 2017; AAP, 2014).
Exceeding this weight limit can lead to back and neck pain, poor posture, muscle strain, and even changes in spinal alignment. Children often compensate by leaning forward or arching their backs, which can strain muscles and joints. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, headaches, or tingling in the arms (Negrini & Carabalona, 2002). Discomfort from backpacks may also affect concentration and reduce participation in physical activities.
To reduce injury risk, children should use both padded shoulder straps, ensure the backpack sits high and centered on the back, and use waist or chest straps when available. Heavy items should be packed closest to the body, and backpacks should be emptied or cleaned out regularly to prevent damage. Rolling backpacks or increased locker use may also help.
References, Contributors and Attributions
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2014). Backpack safety. Healthy Children. https://www.healthychildren.org/Engl...ck-Safety.aspx
American Chiropractic Association (ACA). (2017). Backpack safety. https://www.acatoday.org/News-Public...ackpack-Safety
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). (2020). Kids and backpacks. https://www.choosept.com/health-tips/kids-backpacks
Backpacks on! Schoolchildren’s perceptions of load, associations with back pain and factors determining the load. Spine, 27(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200201150-00015