The Relation Between Plantar Pressure Distribution on the Foot and The Way of Carrying Backpack in Students Between 12 to 18 Years

Plain-language summary

What is this study about? This is an observational study that investigates how different ways of carrying a school backpack affect the pressure distribution on the soles of the feet (plantar pressure) in adolescents. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does carrying a backpack on one shoulder (unilaterally) change the pressure on the bottom of the foot compared to carrying it on both shoulders (bilaterally)? Does carrying a backpack change the amount of the foot that touches the ground (contact area)? Are there differences in foot pressure between the right and left foot based on how the backpack is carried? Researchers compared four different carrying conditions to see their effects: Carrying no backpack. Carrying a backpack on both shoulders. Carrying a backpack on the right shoulder only. Carrying a backpack on the left shoulder only. Who participated? The study included 92 healthy adolescent students (32 boys and 60 girls) from Mansoura City, Egypt. Their ages ranged from 12 to 18 years old, they had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), and had no existing postural or musculoskeletal problems. What did participants do? Participants in the study were asked to: Have their height, weight, and posture checked to ensure they are eligible. Stand and walk barefoot on a special computerized pressure-sensitive mat (a Foot Scan Plate System). Perform these standing and walking tasks under the four different backpack conditions listed above. The backpack was always loaded to weigh 15% of the student's body weight. What did the study find? The key findings were: How you carry the backpack affects how much of your foot touches the ground. Carrying a backpack on one shoulder (especially the right) increased the contact area of both feet on the ground, both while standing and walking. The average and maximum pressures on the soles of the feet did not change significantly. Regardless of how the backpack was carried, the intensity of the pressure under the feet remained relatively the same in these healthy adolescents. Overall balance was maintained. Even though the carrying method changed how the feet contacted the ground, the body compensated well, and no significant imbalance in pressure between the right and left foot was found during walking. What does this mean for patients, families, and healthcare providers? For Teens and Families: This study highlights that how you carry your backpack matters for your foot mechanics. While a brief change may not cause immediate pain, consistently carrying a backpack on one shoulder can alter your posture and gait. It is best to use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly and promote healthy body alignment. For Healthcare Providers: This research provides evidence that the backpack carriage method is a modifiable factor influencing plantar loading patterns in adolescents. Assessing a patient's backpack habits could be a useful part of evaluating complaints of foot, knee, or back pain. Educating patients and families on symmetrical load carriage and proper backpack weight (≤15% of body weight) is a valuable preventive strategy. The bottom line: While the body can adapt to short-term uneven loading, making a habit of carrying a backpack on both shoulders is the best practice for supporting healthy foot pressure distribution and overall posture in growing adolescents.

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