Using Backpacks Safely
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: August 26, 2010
Back to school means back to the books and tests and plenty of homework. But when a student loads it all in their backpack, it can cause physical problems. Freeman Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. David Black said, "If the backpack is too heavy, they tend to walk and slump forward, posture which can cause some low back pain. You also get some problems if they wear their backpack on one arm with some pain in their shoulder or injure the nerves that go down to their arms."
Dr. Black says that avoiding problems starts with picking the right kind of backpack. "Padded shoulders are good, particularly straps that are plenty wide. The backpack should be small enough that it doesn't hang down the waist. It should fit on their back, particularly for younger students. If they have a waist strap it's a good thing, helps support weight."
And it's just as important how your students uses the backpack. "Backpacks should be worn with the straps on both shoulders. The backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10 - 15% of the person's body weight. People need to use their locker."
Dr. Black says that avoiding problems starts with picking the right kind of backpack. "Padded shoulders are good, particularly straps that are plenty wide. The backpack should be small enough that it doesn't hang down the waist. It should fit on their back, particularly for younger students. If they have a waist strap it's a good thing, helps support weight."
And it's just as important how your students uses the backpack. "Backpacks should be worn with the straps on both shoulders. The backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10 - 15% of the person's body weight. People need to use their locker."
