What is the maximum weight children should carry in school trolley backpacks?

Question

Accepted Answer

Maximum Backpack Weight for Children on Trolleys is 20 Per Cent of Body Weight

New research indicates that the maximum weight children should carry in pull-along school backpacks, also known as trolley backpacks, should not exceed 20 per cent of their body weight. This guideline is derived from a study conducted by researchers from the University of Granada in Spain and Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, representing the first investigation to establish a weight limit specifically for these wheeled school bags. The findings were published in the journal Applied Ergonomics.
Study Methodology and Scope

The research involved a kinematic analysis of 49 primary school children to assess their posture and movement patterns. Children were observed walking under three conditions: with no load, carrying a traditional backpack, and pulling a trolley backpack. The study further evaluated the impact of different load levels, specifically 10 per cent, 15 per cent, and 20 per cent of each child's body weight, across these conditions. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to compare the biomechanical effects of various backpack types and weights.
Comparison with Traditional Backpacks

The study also provided a comparison to traditional backpacks, recommending that children using these should avoid carrying loads exceeding 10 per cent of their body weight. This 10 per cent threshold for traditional backpacks aligns with existing recommendations in the field. The research highlights that while both trolley and traditional backpacks can cause significant changes in hip and trunk movement, trolley backpacks generally result in fewer overall motion changes.
Biomechanical Impact of Trolley Backpacks

Pulling a backpack on a trolley was found to produce fewer changes in motion compared to carrying a traditional backpack. Even with a small load, the movement associated with a trolley backpack more closely resembles a child's natural walking gait when unburdened. This suggests that wheeled backpacks may offer a biomechanically less disruptive option for transporting school materials, though adherence to the 20 per cent weight limit remains crucial.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What is the maximum weight children should carry in school trolley backpacks?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends