The Impact of Backpack Loads on School Children: A Critical Narrative Review

Michelle Perrone, Robin Orr, Wayne Hing, Nikki Milne and Rodney Pope
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Michelle Perrone: Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
Robin Orr: Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
Wayne Hing: Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
Nikki Milne: Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
Rodney Pope: School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury-Wodonga, NSW 2640, Australia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: Background : Backpack loads of school students during school days have been suggested to range from 10% to as high as 25% of their body weight and may have a negative impact on their body. The aim of this review was to identify and review studies that have examined impacts of contemporary backpack loads on school children. Methods : A systematic search was conducted of the literature using key search terms. After relevant studies published in recent years were selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, the studies were critically appraised and relevant data were extracted and tabulated prior to conducting a critical narrative synthesis of findings. Results : Twenty-one studies were included, ranging in methodological quality from poor to good (critical appraisal scores 22% to 77%). Students carried on average over 15% of their own body weight, which caused biomechanical and physiological adaptations that could increase musculoskeletal injury risk, fatigue, redness, swelling and discomfort. Conclusion : Considering the limited methodological quality and variations in foci across studies, further research is needed to elucidate: (1) the loads students carry around on a school day in their school backpacks and; (2) the biomechanical, physiological and physical effects of load carriage on students.

Keywords: load carriage; children; school backpacks; configuration; impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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