Ergonomic design of school backpack by using anthropometric measurements for primary school students (6-12 years)

The use of school backpack with ergonomic dimensions and suitable weight (10%-15% of body weight) can reduce musculoskeletal injuries/disorders among school students. This study aimed to conduct an ergonomic design of school backpack for primary school students (6-12 years) based on anthropometric measurements. Three anthropometric characteristics, including sitting shoulder height, thigh thickness, and shoulder breadth-bideltoid were measured for each of the 2236 students. The data were collected using the anthropometric chair, camera and camera stand, and anthropometric photo graphical software. The anthropometric dimensions were obtained in the form of mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and percentiles of 2.5-97.5. Sitting shoulder height was higher in boys than that in girls up to the age of 10 years; however, this dimension gradually increased in girls compared to boys at the ages of 11 and 12 years. Shoulder breadth-bideltoid and thigh thickness were higher in boys than those in girls in all age groups. Finally, the ergonomics dimensions of the school backpack, including the backpack height and breadth were obtained for the students aged 6 to 12 years by using anthropometric characteristics.