Pack Backpacks Light & Wear Them Right

The new school year is right around the corner and many student use backpacks. Backpacks that are too heavy, or worn improperly, can cause repetitive trauma on a child that can lead to spinal problems.

The weight of books, binders and supplies, alongside their sports gear, food and drinks.

Research indicates that there are long-term health risks associated with children who wear poorly designed backpacks or carry too much weight. Not only are these injuries painful, they can directly impact the enjoyment of leisure and sports activities that are critical part of a young person’s life.

Backpack Tips:

1. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good backpack and remember that function should take precedence over fashion.

2. Backpacks should be made of the light materials. Vinyl and canvas are much better than leather. Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.

3. Backpacks with two straps distribute weight better than bookbags that are slung over the shoulder. Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into your child’s shoulders.

4. The top of the backpack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder and the bottom should not fall below the top of the hipbone. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

5. The shoulder straps should be at least 2 inches wide and should not fit too snugly around the arms, straining muscles and affecting nerves.

6. A hip strap or waist belt can take as much as 50-70% of the weight off the shoulders and spine. The waist belt will equalize the strain on the bones, joints and muscles. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause imbalance and pain.

7. Choose a backpack with a lot of pockets to help distribute weight more effectively.

8. Fill the backpack at table level and have someone help the child put on the backpack.

9. Wear both shoulder straps and the waist belt.

10. Only put into the backpack the items that the child really needs. Every extra pound of weight over the recommended maximum, will increase the chances of an injury. The general rule is no more than 10 - 15% of the student’s body weight or 5 - 10% for younger children.

11. Even if the child feels no pain or injury, carrying a backpack that is worn improperly, is too heavy or off balance, can cause microtears in spinal discs, ligaments, tendons and muscle, which can have a cumulative effect on the child, which could then manifest and become symptomatic in the future.

12. If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s school and seeif your child could leave the heaviest books at school.

13. Although the use of rollerpacks, which are backpacks on wheels, have become popular in recent years, they should be used cautiously. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls, which can be worse than the injuries that result from carrying a heavy backpack.

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