Impact of the School Bag on the Posture of Primary School Children
Luka Posavac, Ana Krajina, Vedrana Grbavac, Martina Rezić
SUMMARY
A school bag is an indispensable part of every pupil’s daily equipment. However, many researchers and health professionals believe that excessively heavy school bags contribute to poor posture, which has become an increasingly common problem among children. One of the most frequent health issues associated with carrying heavy school bags is lower back pain, while improper load distribution may also affect spinal balance and contribute to postural disorders.
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between improper carrying of heavy school bags and changes in posture among children of developmental age. The research also sought to identify the prevalence of postural disorders among pupils from the first to the ninth grade and to propose preventive measures for reducing these problems.
The study was conducted on a sample of 358 primary school pupils. The results showed that 43.3% of pupils from grades one through nine exhibited some form of postural deformity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between grade levels regarding the weight of school bags (F = 38.65; p = 0.00).
Using the chi-square test, the researchers also identified statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of different types of postural disorders among most grade levels. Exceptions were found in the first, second, and ninth grades, where no statistically significant differences in posture type were observed (p > 0.05).
The findings indicate that excessive school bag weight may be an important factor associated with posture disturbances in children and highlight the need for preventive measures aimed at preserving proper growth and development.
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