Back-breaking work for Australia's young
1 February 2001
It’s not the cost of education that’s crippling students, according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, it’s their heavy schoolbags.
The Association says that a typical student carries more than 5 kilos to and from school each day―that’s a laptop computer, 4 textbooks and a lunchbox.
New research by Australian physiotherapists has discovered that carrying a schoolbag incorrectly can cause problems with a child’s back, shoulders, neck and posture.
Dr Karen Grimmer and Steve Milanese from the Centre for Allied Health Research at the University of South Australia are conducting an ongoing study, which so far has involved more than 1200 students aged 12–18.
Dr Grimmer says that young spines are highly susceptible to damage while they are maturing.
Last Reviewed: 05 February 2001
- Australian Physiotherapy Association 2001
