Innovative Ergonomic Support Belt Design to Mitigate Musculoskeletal Issues in School Backpack Users: An Investigation among Jaipur's Students

Abstract

Heavy school backpacks contribute to physical strain and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among school-going children. Although it is recommended that a child's backpack be at most 10% of their body weight, maintaining this ratio is challenging, particularly in India, where education systems have introduced weight increments in school backpacks. This study investigates the potential of an ergonomically designed support belt for school backpacks in reducing stress on students' shoulders and backs. The research discusses developing and testing a novel ergonomic belt prototype to enhance backpack support for students. Hundred healthy school children aged 12 to 16 participated in an experiment that compared the newly designed belt system with commercially available backpacks without support belts. The study evaluated the impact of backpack type (support belt vs. commercial backpack) and load levels as a percentage of body weight, with test loads ranging from 10 to 30% of the total backpack weight. Participants' feedback, bag comfort scale, and MSD surveys were analyzed to assess the belt system's effectiveness. According to subjective responses, the ergonomic support belt performed well at load levels of 15 to 20% of body weight. A 10% increase in carrying weight reduced erector spinal muscle activity and increased abdominal oblique muscle activity. The innovative backpack design incorporated side pockets connected by upper and lower straps, effectively distributing weight around the body and preventing excessive pressure on specific areas.