Students who wear backpacks stuffed with too many books may be carrying around more problems than just those found in their textbooks.
Poor posture, muscle spasms and neck and shoulder pain have all been linked to students who wear backpacks that are too heavy, according to a study done by the American Chiropractic Association in 2003.
Jason Gillman, program manager for Student Health Services, said back problems aren’t uncommon among U students, either. Gillman, who conducts a health assessment survey on campus every two years, said more than 46 percent of students reported experiencing back pain–making it the second most commonly reported ailment among students.
Daniel Neville generally carries one or two textbooks around on school days. Although he’s never experienced any serious backpack-related injuries, Neville said sometimes his backpack has caused discomfort.
“If you get off Trax at the stadium and have to walk uphill to class with a heavy backpack, it can definitely be bothersome,” said Neville, a senior in communication.
The weight of backpacks isn’t the only thing contributing to the rising number of backpack-related injuries. The way students wear their backpacks can influence the effects on their backs.
Nancy Johns, a clinical education
coordinator for the U’s Division
of Occupational Therapy, recommends that students opt for a two-strap bag over a single-strap shoulder bag.
“Two-strap backpacks more easily distribute the weight and are more easily adjusted,” Johns said.
If students must wear a single-strap bag, Johns suggests wearing the strap diagonally, across the torso.
Many studies regarding the impact backpacks have on back health focus on middle school students, who are often advised not to carry more than 15 percent of their body weight.
Even though college students and other adults can carry more weight than adolescents, Johns said they still risk injuries when their backpacks weigh more than 15 percent of their total body weight.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that each year, nearly 7,500 emergency room visits are due to backpack-related injuries.