Are backpacks weighing us down?
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARCELO ARANIBAR AND JON BATTAGLIA
By Jon Battaglia, Jon Roser and Marcelo Aranibar
October 5, 2007
Backpacks are an unavoidable reality for students, but are they damaging to your health? To investigate this question, The Purple Tide met with a student who had back problems and researched four different types of backpacks to find ways to prevent overstuffing them and causing injuries. Here’s what we found:
Five tips to keep your back safe
- Use your locker: There’s no use in carrying around the entire day’s load all the time. Make it a priority to visit your locker in between every class.
- Plan ahead: Complete homework ahead of time so you’re not lugging around all your books and binders home for the weekend.
- Pick it up properly: Lift a backpack just like you would a barbell, bend at the knees when lifting a backpack to your shoulders.
- Stay in shape : Stabilizing the muscles in your torso is a good way to prevent back injuries. Pilates, yoga or weight training are ways to get that accomplished.
- Consider construction: The backpack you choose should have well-padded shoulder straps. Also, consider purchasing a backpack with a waist belt.
Alec Rezanka, sophomore
Victim of heavy backpacks
Q: Were your back problems caused by your backpack?
A: No, but the backpack didn’t help, so my doctor told me to get a roller backpack instead.
Q: Why didn’t you just use your locker instead of changing backpacks?
A: I barely have enough time to get to class because I have to go all over the school. I wouldn’t have enough time to use my locker also.
Q: Why do you prefer the roller backpack over the standard backpack?
A: Because they are easier to carry around. There’s a lot less stress on my back.
Q: Was there any spine damage caused by your old backpack?
A; No, but if I continued to use it my doctor said there would have been.
Ranking the Packs
A look at the best (and worst) backpacks for your health, according to www.pediatrics.about.com
Roller
Ranking: 1
Pros: no strain on shoulders and back; hold just as much as the regular backpack
Cons: not stylish; people tend to kick it
Doublestrap
Ranking: 2
Pros: Having two straps distributes weight and promotes well aligned, symmetrical posture. Back/shoulder padding makes it most comfortable.
Cons: Risk of back problems if not worn correctly.
Messenger
Ranking: 3
Pros: Can hold a lot of books and has extra pockets for other things.
Cons: One side of body has to bear weight; sags and bumps against legs when walking; can easily slip off shoulder.
Drawstring
Ranking: 4
Pros: Compact; one of the most popular models.
Cons: Not a lot of room for school textbooks and binders; rip very easily because of thin fabric; straps are thin and strain shoulders.