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Back To School...Back To Backpack Safety.
Every year around this time, kids are getting their new backpacks (or maybe even their first backpacks!). Before you send them out the door, make sure that they have one that is the right size and that they are wearing them correctly.
Improper backpack use can cause injury, especially to children with young, growing muscles and joints. A study led by APTA member Shelley Goodgold, PT, associate professor of physical therapy at Simmons College in Boston, found that 55 percent of the children surveyed carried backpack loads heavier than 15 percent of their body weight, which is considered the maximum safe weight for children recommended by most experts.
A heavy load may also cause stress or compression to the shoulders and arms. When nerves are compressed, the child may experience tingling or numbness in the arms. To make sure you have the right fit,
click here for a handout that shows the proper fit and gives good recommendations.
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