As school students in NSW and other states head back to their classrooms after an extended break due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is timely to remember the impact of heavy schoolbags on young shoulders.
A recent scientific study on schoolbag weights has confirmed parental concerns: school students continue to be overburdened by heavy bags and should avoid loads exceeding 10 per cent of their body weight.
Some of the key reasons that heavy, bulky schoolbags are a problem include:
Heavy lifting
The size, strength and posture of individual children may affect their capacity to bear a heavy schoolbag, but generally schoolchildren should not carry loads exceeding 10 per cent of their body weight, according to the latest study.
The research was conducted by the University of Granada and Liverpool John Moores University, which used a three-dimensional optical motion capture system to monitor schoolchildren for the study.
The findings have meant many parents are re-examining the issue, as raised in a recent ABC article, that many Australian school students are carrying far more than 10 per cent of their body weight.
Overburdened shoulders
Overweight bags are not good for tiny bodies, as we have outlined before. Teens can also suffer from pinched nerves, shoulder pain and damage when schoolbags are too heavy.
Safety hazards
Kidshealth.org reports on safety hazards to backpack wearers, “Carrying a heavy pack increases the risk of falling, particularly on stairs or other places where the backpack puts the wearer off balance.”
Bulky bags of different types also present a safety hazard, with schoolchildren regularly injured by others clumsily swinging bags or by tripping over large bags dumped carelessly on the floor.
Unburden students with locker options
By installing lockers, schools can avoid situations where students are at risk from overweight bags and tripping hazards.
Davell has extensive experience in locker installations. For decades we have been working with schools to develop the best locker solutions.
If you would like to know more, you can also read our School Locker Buying Guide and the Abbotsleigh School case study.
When thinking about the issues raised by heavy schoolbags there are several steps that people can take:
1. Ask about the school locker program your school is planning, and whether the new lockers can accommodate bulky bags and sports equipment.
2. Find out how to use school funds for locker area improvements, plus government grants for locker installations.
3. Help younger students to plan their day so that they don’t carry around the heavy books or sports equipment until they need to, and that they just bring home the essentials for their homework.
4. Encourage the school to allow locker access time so the lockers can be utilised during classroom breaks.
As an Australian manufacturer using locally sourced raw products, Davell is proud that during these months of adversity we have continued to meet client needs.
