DISCUSSION :
This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among school children in relation to the use of school bags. The results showed that approximately 86% of the children reported of musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region, with shoulder complaints being the most common symptom (77%), which is similar to findings reported by Whittfield et al. (2005) among secondary school students in New Zealand[06].However, the finding that girls in this study carried heavier school bags(56.8%) (in terms of both raw school bag weight and school bag weight expressed as % BW) than boys(43.1%).
In his study, most musculoskeletal complaints were observed in shoulders and neck area. In two another studies[06,11],the maximum …show more content…
Although, percentages found in the literature vary widely (from 8% to 74%) and cannot be compared properly because of different definitions of physical discomforts.The lack of relationship between the weight of school bags and low back pain in this study is consistent with previous reports [04,06,07,10].Regarding the individual risk factors, it was shown that age was significantly associated with musculoskeletal problems. This indicated that younger children (e.g. 10-12 years old) were more likely to …show more content…
(Whittfield J, Legg SJ, Hedderley2005)[05].Carrying a heavy school bag for long time could result in repetitive stress injuries to the immature skeleton of the children. This follows the transferring of the child’s centre of gravity in the direction of the load when carrying a backpack [11]. To do compensatory movements the child will typically leans in a direction opposite to the force. For example, to compensate for a heavy backpack worn low over the sacrum, the child typically moves the head and trunk forward.Another common strategy is lumbar hyperextension achieved by hand support on the shoulder straps. Such postural deviations can hinder the natural shock absorption abilities of the spine and require greater muscle activity to prevent the child from falling as a result of the greater forces and moments about the spine. These heavy school bags result in several postural changes at the head and trunk o place he soft tissues at a biomechanical disadvantage leads to fatigue and injury.[04] A previous study showed that Weight of the backpack is one of numerous contributing factors related to musculoskeletal discomfort among school age students. In additional to the weight of the backpack, duration and frequency of carriage and the manner in which the weight is carried on the
This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among school children in relation to the use of school bags. The results showed that approximately 86% of the children reported of musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region, with shoulder complaints being the most common symptom (77%), which is similar to findings reported by Whittfield et al. (2005) among secondary school students in New Zealand[06].However, the finding that girls in this study carried heavier school bags(56.8%) (in terms of both raw school bag weight and school bag weight expressed as % BW) than boys(43.1%).
In his study, most musculoskeletal complaints were observed in shoulders and neck area. In two another studies[06,11],the maximum …show more content…
Although, percentages found in the literature vary widely (from 8% to 74%) and cannot be compared properly because of different definitions of physical discomforts.The lack of relationship between the weight of school bags and low back pain in this study is consistent with previous reports [04,06,07,10].Regarding the individual risk factors, it was shown that age was significantly associated with musculoskeletal problems. This indicated that younger children (e.g. 10-12 years old) were more likely to …show more content…
(Whittfield J, Legg SJ, Hedderley2005)[05].Carrying a heavy school bag for long time could result in repetitive stress injuries to the immature skeleton of the children. This follows the transferring of the child’s centre of gravity in the direction of the load when carrying a backpack [11]. To do compensatory movements the child will typically leans in a direction opposite to the force. For example, to compensate for a heavy backpack worn low over the sacrum, the child typically moves the head and trunk forward.Another common strategy is lumbar hyperextension achieved by hand support on the shoulder straps. Such postural deviations can hinder the natural shock absorption abilities of the spine and require greater muscle activity to prevent the child from falling as a result of the greater forces and moments about the spine. These heavy school bags result in several postural changes at the head and trunk o place he soft tissues at a biomechanical disadvantage leads to fatigue and injury.[04] A previous study showed that Weight of the backpack is one of numerous contributing factors related to musculoskeletal discomfort among school age students. In additional to the weight of the backpack, duration and frequency of carriage and the manner in which the weight is carried on the