Affiliations: [a] Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | [b] Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Amr Almaz Abdel-Aziem, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed Elziat Street, Bean Elsariate, El Dokki, Giza 12612, Egypt. Tel.: +20 1006229996, +966 544113825; E-mail:amralmaz@yahoo.com;/amralmaz74@gmail.com
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Carrying the school bag may lead to forward leaning of
the head and trunk which may result in spinal deformities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of
carrying a backpack on neck angles and ground reaction forces (GRFs) in
children. METHODS: 3-D motion analysis system, with a force plate, was used
to examine the effect of carrying backpack on neck angles and GRFs of thirty
children with mean age (10.06 ± 1.31 years), mean weight (34.56 ± 6.9 kg), and
mean height (138.63 ± 9.82 cm). The unloaded posture was
compared with posture when carrying a backpack. The static test was used to
assess the three angles of the neck, and the dynamic test was used to assess
the GRFs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the
craniohorizontal angle and shoulder sagittal posture between carrying
backpack and without backpack (p = 0.153 and 0.272) respectively. There was a
significant decrease in the craniovertebral angle in carrying backpack than
without backpack (p = 0.032). There was a significant increase in GRFs values
in carrying backpack than without backpack (p < 0.032). CONCLUSION: Carrying backpack with a load 7.5% of the child's
body weight alters the head posture and GRFs values.
