Backpacks are considered great villains of back problems in students. At this stage, students need to take several items to school in their backpacks, which causes a large concentration of weight on their backs. Excess weight placed inside backpacks can cause a number of problems, such as pain, development incorrect posture, spinal deviation, scoliosis, hyperlordosis, hyperkyphosis, nerve pinch, herniated disc and others.
In order not to acquire these spinal problems, it is necessary to correctly distribute the weight carried. On the back, you can carry a load that approaches 10% of body weight and this index should never be exceeded so that there is no risk of developing an early problem in the spine. If the material needed for the study in the classroom reaches a weight above the recommended 10%, it is necessary to use backpacks with wheels so as not to overload the body.
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Another important tip not to interfere with the proper functioning of the spine is to always use the backpack straps on both shoulders so that the load is distributed evenly between the shoulders. If the backpack is a mailman style, you must vary the sides to carry it.
By Gabriela Cabral
Brazil School Team
education - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DANTAS, Gabriela Cabral da Silva. "Backpack: Villain or Helper?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao/mochila-vila-ou-auxiliar.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.