Backpack Safety

“As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”

Posture in which the natural curves of the spine are maintained is considered good posture. Every single movement, from sitting at our desks, driving a vehicle, standing for long hours to even how we sleep-affects our back.

There is a widely held belief that repeated carrying of backpacks places additional stress on rapidly growing structures in children making them more prone to postural changes.

The highest rate of growth for school children occurs during puberty, 10-12yrs for girls & 13-15yrs for boys. External forces such as backpacks, influences growth & maintenance of body alignment, making adolescents more susceptible to injury compared to adults.

Before we discuss Ergonomics to carry backpacks, it’s important to understand how bad posture is produced due to backpacks. When a backpack is worn, the spine bends forwards, causing the entire body slant forwards, increasing the chances of falling. Now to prevent falling, the back muscles overwork & fatigue. Fatigue further pronounces this bad posture, increasing the chances of injury.

What kind of backpack is the right one?

• When you go shopping for a backpack, carry along all the articles you plan to carry in the backpack. Select an appropriate sized backpack (not larger than your torso) as it can lead to a more & uneven load.
• Select a light-weight, multi-compartmentalized backpack.
• It should have adjustable wide padded contoured straps along with chest & waist straps to place the backpack closer to your spine & engage larger muscle groups to take the load.
• This avoids overworking & fatigue.
• The back of the backpack should be well padded & contoured to fit against the alignment of your spine.
• Low back curve in the backpack should fit snugly against your low back curve.
• The inside compartment should have elastics compression straps to hold large items in place.

How do I wear a backpack?

• Bend your knees while picking up the backpack to check its weight.
• Put on one strap at a time.
• Adjust the shoulder straps so that the backpack fits snugly against your spine. Use the Chest & Waist straps.

Always Remember…

• Do not twist or swing the backpack while wearing it.
• Do not wear only on one shoulder.
• Do not bend your waist while wearing or lifting a heavy backpack.

The Ergonomics discussed in this article apply not only to children but also to adults.