Heavy books make your back hurt

A study in Spain showed that the bags and pairs that students use may increase their risk of back pain.

Scientists advise students not to wear a pair with a weight equal to or more than 10% of their body weight. (Photo: Readynutrition).

The BBC reported that Costa Hospital researchers and Son Dureta Hospital in Spain followed 1,403 students to find out about the effects of backpacks on the risk of back pain. The students participating in the study were aged 12 to 17 and attended schools in northern Spain.

The team found that two-thirds of the students they follow regularly wear pairs of equal or more than 10% of their body weight. They divided students into 4 groups according to their weight and analyzed their back pain levels. The results showed that the risk of back pain in the group with the heaviest pair was 50% higher than the group with the lightest pair . The proportion of female students with back pain is higher than that of male students and the risk of back pain increases with age.

Research results are of great significance to the education industry, experts say. According to them, students and workers should not wear bags, bags with a weight greater than 10% of their body weight, or increase the risk of back pain.