Cornell University Ergonomics Web
Children's Backpack Design |
Standard Backpack Design (7th Grader, aged 12 years) |
Improved Backpack Design (Large size) (7th Grader, aged 12 years) |
Improved Backpack Design (Small size) (8th Grader, aged 12 years) |
Note how a standard backpack with a typical load of textbooks sags below the lower (lumbar) back, sags at the shoulders, and encourages a forwards leaning posture to accommodate the low-slung load. | Note how the design of this backpack, with a typical load of textbooks, doesn't sag and raises the load to the lower (lumbar) back. The shoulders are straighter and this encourages a more erect posture that accommodates the higher placed load. |
For more information on the improved backpack, you can visit the PosturePack web site (http://www.posturepack.com). Note, inclusion of information on the PosturePack doesn't constitute commercial endorsement of this product and there are other manufacturers of improved designs not listed here.