Effects of backpack load placement on pulmonary capacities of normal schoolchildren during upright stance

• Published in: International journal of industrial ergonomics Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 703 - 707
• Main Authors: Chow, D.H.K., Ting, J.M.L., Pope, M.H., Lai, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-09-2009; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Back; Backpack; Backpacks; Children & youth; Ergonomics; Load carriage; Load placement; Posture; Pulmonary function; Schoolchildren; Backpack; Load placement; Schoolchildren; Pulmonary function; Load carriage
• ISSN: 0169-8141; 1872-8219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2009.03.002

Backpack carriage affects posture, physiological costs and physical performance. Limited literature concerning the effects of backpack load placement on pulmonary capacities of schoolchildren has been reported. The objective was to assess the effects of backpack load placement on pulmonary capacities of normal schoolchildren. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1
s (FEV
1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow (FEF
25–75%) were measured in 22 normal schoolchildren with a mean age of 12
years during free standing and when carrying a backpack of 15% bodyweight with its center of gravity positioned at T7, T12 and L3. The main effect of load was found to be significant for FVC and FEV
1. However, no significant effect of load placements on the pulmonary function of schoolchildren was found. Manipulation of load placements may not alleviate the restrictive effects exerted on the pulmonary function resulted from backpack load carriage.
Daily carriage of a school backpack on the musculoskeletal health of children and adolescents has become an area of concern. Restrictive effects on the pulmonary function due to backpack carriage were reported and it is useful to explore whether these effects could be alleviated by manipulating the backpack center of gravity level.