Regular school backpack use negatively impacts children’s gait and plantar pressure.
Authors
Puspangi Agarwal, Sikkim Professional College of Physiotherapy, Sikkim Professional University, Tadong, Sikkim, 737102, India
Abhishek Sharma, Department of Physiotherapy, Arogyam Institute of Paramedical and Allied Sciences (Affiliated to H.N.B. Uttarakhand Medical Education University), Uttarakhand, Roorkee, 247661, India
Richa Hirendra Rai, School of Physiotherapy, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
Nitesh Bansal, Professor, Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development, O.P Jindal Global University, Haryana, Sonipat, India
Nidhi Sharma, Department of Health Science, Uttaranchal College of Health Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, 248007, India
Mohammad Sidiq, Department of Physiotherapy, Galgotias Multi-disciplinary Research and Development Cell (G-MRDC), Galgotias University, Uttar Pradesh, Greater Noida, 203201, India
V. Krishna Reddy Vajrala, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Galgotias University, Uttar Pradesh, Greater Noida, 203201, India
Mohammad Abu Shaphe, Physical Therapy Department, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Vandana Esht, Physical Therapy Department, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
Nitesh Malhotra, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana, Faridabad, India
Faizan Zaffar Kashoo, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
Aksh Chahal, Department of Physiotherapy, Galgotias Multi-disciplinary Research and Development Cell (G-MRDC), Galgotias University, Uttar Pradesh, Greater Noida, 203201, India
Summary
Background: Since ages backpacking has been accepted as an essential and convenient form of daily practice for carrying supplies to school. However, this daily act adds 8–12% of additional weight to the body’s stipulated weight, which imposes negative impact on one’s locomotor system.
Methods: Databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, MEDLINE and Cochrane were searched in a thorough manner. Methodological quality was assessed independently by two authors, using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.
Results: In total 18 studies with 2131 patients included in the review. The mean age of patients included is 15.2 ± 2.4 years. Backpack carriage significantly affects plantar pressure distribution and gait parameters in children. Increased pressure on the forefoot and heel regions was consistently reported, along with alterations in stride length, step width, and walking speed. Factors such as backpack design, load distribution, and individual characteristics further influenced these effects.
Conclusion: Findings reveal regular use of school backpack by children pose deteriorating impact on their plantar pressure, thereby affecting the spatiotemporal parameters of gait.
Published in: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
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