May 20, 2021, 9:31 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many parents spend a small fortune on their child’s first school backpack. “Incredible money-making scheme,” says pediatric orthopedist Robert Rödl. The expert advises parents to be more relaxed about backpacks.
Lighter, ergonomic, and more expensive–the first school backpack can quickly cost several hundred euros. After all, parents don’t want their child to develop a hunched back and are willing to pay for the peace of mind that comes with doing the best for their child.
Pediatric orthopedist Professor Robert Rödl is frustrated by the trend toward costly, especially ergonomic backpacks. “The backpacks are getting more expensive. I think it’s primarily an incredible money-making scheme.”
Walking to School Is Usually a Short Distance
The expert doesn’t want to be misunderstood: There’s nothing wrong with lightweight and well-fitted backpacks for children. However, he believes the focus is unnecessary for most students, as they often only have a short walk to school, about ten to fifteen minutes with the backpack on their back.
There is, of course, a connection between load and ergonomics, says the doctor. The longer the child walks, the more attention should be paid–simply to ensure the backpack remains comfortable on the back even after extended wear.
“But to claim that you need a super ergonomic backpack for a ten-minute walk to school, otherwise the spine will bend? That’s nonsense,” says Rödl. “It’s equally nonsense to generally claim that heavy backpacks cause back problems.”
It’s not a problem if the back is occasionally burdened. “I think it’s catastrophic if we constantly think: ‘How can the child be physically challenged even less?'”
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Don’t Blame Back Problems on Backpacks
Rödl works as the chief physician for pediatric orthopedics at the University Hospital Münster. In his professional life, he mainly encounters problems with children who don’t move and don’t exert themselves, he says. “A lack of enthusiasm for movement leads to a lack of muscle mass, which ultimately supports the spine.” But it’s, of course, easy to point to the backpack and say: Look, it’s heavy, that’s why the child gets a hunched back.
“You know,” says Rödl, “if you want to reshape the spine, you have to apply a custom-made corset that exerts pressure on the back 23 hours a day. Just to give you an idea of the forces needed to achieve a permanent deformation.”
Regarding the school backpack, his simple advice is: If the child can lift the backpack from the ground and put it on by themselves, then it’s not too heavy. Parents should be quite relaxed when choosing one.
Especially since “heavy” school backpacks are hardly found in stores anymore. Whether it weighs 0.8 or 1.6 kilograms when empty is rarely relevant, according to Rödl. “As long as the child doesn’t have a one-hour school march or doesn’t want to use the backpack for hiking trips, there’s no need for such discussions,” says the chairman of the Association for Pediatric Orthopedics.
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Don’t Feel Pressured to Buy the Ergonomic Super School Backpack
The expert has nothing against ergonomic and costly school backpacks. What bothers him, however, is that many parents, who have relatively little money available, may feel pressured by advertising and conversations with other parents to also buy the supposed top model backpack.
“They want, like all parents, the best for their child in the end,” says Rödl. And sometimes they push their financial limits. “I don’t think that’s right. You can choose the backpack that the child likes.” Even if it’s not the lightest and most ergonomic.
Especially since the half-life of the backpack is limited anyway. “You use it for four or five years,” says Rödl. By the time they reach secondary school, it’s over. “It’s totally uncool there; no one carries a backpack anymore, but regular backpacks or bags.”
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Pack and Carry Backpacks Correctly
As with all backpacks, the same applies to school backpacks: The closer the weight is to the back, the better. Books should be packed close to the back, and the straps adjusted so the backpack fits snugly against the back.
And pack more upwards than downwards: For example, fix the sports bag on top rather than hanging it below. “The lower the weight, the stronger the leverage forces pulling backward. That’s exhausting,” explains pediatric orthopedist Professor Robert Rödl.
The spine can handle axial forces much better than bending forces, which is why people sometimes carry heavy items over long distances on their heads. A hip belt on the backpack also helps distribute the weight. Wide shoulder straps ensure a comfortable fit.
*With material from dpa