Backpacks and Backaches

Introduction

Backpacks are probably the most convenient way for students to carry books and supplies to and from school. However, wearing a backpack incorrectly or carrying too much weight can cause back pain or even spinal injury. In the following activity, students will view recommended safety tips and for choosing and wearing backpacks correctly. They will also learn the warning signs that a backpack is too heavy.

Information

Read the following article published by the American Physical Therapy Association about backpack safety. Then complete the activities listed below.

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23492

Activities

1. List the following in your health journals for today:

o Three tips for safe backpack use.

o Five tips for choosing a new backpack.

o Five warning signs that a backpack is too heavy.

1. Next, weigh yourself and then weigh your backpack. Enter your information into the data sheet. Include your name, weight, and weight of your backpack. A bar graph will then be created to compare weights.

2. Doctors recommend that backpacks do not weigh more than 15 percent of your body weight. Figure out if the weight of your backpack is too heavy by using your data with the following formula:

Weight of Student x .15 = Suggested Weight of Backpack

4. Compare the actual weight of your backpack to the suggested weight. Is your backpack over the suggested weight? What are some things you can do to decrease the weight of your backpack so that it is not too heavy?