Musculoskeletal Pain in School Children

Abstract

Children carrying heavy backpacks to school is slowly gaining visibility. The objective of this study was to determine if middle school children carrying backpacks, musical instruments, sports and personal items to school, develop musculoskeletal pain? If so, what would be a safe weight to carry? Presently, there are no standards on the safe weight for a school child to carry. However, medical professionals and ergonomists have recommended “common sense” guidelines - “Children should not carry more than 10 to 20 % of their body weight”. A subjective criteria using the mid-point of 15%, was used as the Reference Standard for this study. Students aged 11.1 to 14.5 yr. were studied after obtaining parental consent. They provided information about their carrying habits, and subjective musculoskeletal pain locations. They were weighed with and without carry-on items. The results showed that about 60% of the schoolchildren have musculoskeletal pain, located primarily in the neck, shoulders and back. The data is statistically inconclusive on the safe carry-on weight. A detailed study of all the variables affecting pain, using an objective pain criteria should be conducted to develop the safe carry-on weight.