Work load evaluation of the school bag carrying of primary students based on biomechanical approach

Abstract

Abstract

Nowadays, a problem of Thai primary students is to carry a heavy school bag relatively to the student weight. The school bag carrying task can be classified as a carrying workload.  This workload was evaluated based on a biomechanical static model. 346 primary students (178 boys and 168 girls) aged between 6 to 12 years old were recruited voluntarily for the research. Average school bags weight was 11.76% of the body weight (BW). The results showed that the body weight is not significantly relate to the body strength (R<0.5), then student weight should not be used as an indicator to set safe of the school bag weight. The compressive force on the lower back while carrying the school bag was about 18% of maximum voluntary compressive force on the lower back calculated from the composite strength test.