As the new academic year starts and the search is on for new school bags, parents are advised to prioritise the functional aspects of the chosen item over its reputation as ‘fashionable’.
A research study titled "The Acute Effects of Schoolbag Loading on Posture and Gait Mechanics in 10- to 13-Year-Old Children" by Bridget Grobler and Mark Kramer conducted on a cohort of 60 schoolchildren in the North West looked at how excessively heavy school bags can compromise posture, induce neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, affect the heart and lungs and cause shoulder, back and hand pain.
The study carried out specifically in the South African context with children aged between 10 and 13 for the National Library of Medicine’s Centre for Biotechnology Information, found that children who carried bags weighing more than 15% of their own body weight were eight times more likely to report pain than children who carried bags weighing less than 15% of their own mass.
So as schoolchildren go out and choose from the array of bags available ranging from plain black to luminous and sparkly — the bags may all look the same, but they are not.
The study found that the distribution of weight in a school bag is integral to maintaining a healthy posture, and if neglected in the bag’s function and design, this can cause problems.
Bags being slung over one shoulder, loaded too heavily or in an unbalanced manner, straps that are not padded are factors that can lead to shoulder, back and hand pain all caused by poor functional design and excessive bag carriage.
“Far superior to fashion, is support and function. This plays the biggest role in the purchase decision of the annual school backpack,” says Michal Oster, founding member of the family-owned business Totem Bags.
“To prevent unnecessary strain and pain, parents should become familiar with the anatomy of a schoolbag and encourage their children to pack correctly for the day, loading in only what’s necessary,” said Oster.
And while brand names, fun designs, trendy colours and patterns can all be appealing considerations, it’s “the anatomy of design that will ultimately determine what is best for the school-going years”, he said.
The Oster family has been manufacturing bags since 1996 after mom Nadine realised that South African-made school bags were not up to global standards. She found that bags were being built around books rather than backs, causing pressure on children in the wrong places.
After reading all the available research, working with medical experts and manufacturing factories, the family came up with orthopaedic designs, started making quality school bags and opened the business.
A big ‘watch word’ in the school bag aisle is the term ‘orthopaedic’. It’s a medical term that should only be used in fully certified designs. Using it to describe school bags without medical endorsement can be misleading.
— Michal Oster, founder of Totem Bags
According to Oster, there are some key features that should be present in the chosen school bag that will make a big difference to the child’s comfort, posture and health.
First to look for, he said, is straps that are both padded and adjustable. Wide, padded and adjustable straps cushion the shoulders and are vital to avoid unnecessary strain. If the bag is good quality, straps can be adjusted as the child grows, meaning it can last years.
Durable zips and strong stitching are another consideration as reinforced zips and strong, double-stitched seams make it likely that the bag will withstand daily wear and not rip or tear. Ideally it should also be water-resistant.
For older children carrying heavier loads, internal aluminium frames help maintain the curve of the spine and distribute the load more evenly.
Another consideration, particularly in very hot weather, is air flow and ventilation. Oster said bags with an air system promote airflow help reduce sticky, sweaty backs.
If the design includes a firm base with a self-standing mechanism, the bag will stay upright on its own making it easier for packing and retrieving contents.
“A big ‘watch word’ in the school bag aisle is the term ‘orthopaedic’. It’s a medical term that should only be used in fully certified designs. Using it to describe school bags without medical endorsement can be misleading,” Oster warned.
Apart from the design and quality of the bag, he said the overall effectiveness of a well-chosen bag can be easily undermined if it’s not packed properly. Ensuring that the heaviest items are packed closest to the back will align them with the body’s centre of gravity and reduce pressure on the shoulders.
Compartments in the bag can be used to keep items organised.
In the digital age school bags are also evolving to accommodate gadgets. Padded laptop compartments, USB charging ports and antitheft features are being included in some of the new designs as tablets and e-readers replace textbooks.
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