Page 58 - Welcome to Posture Pro

Seventy participants aged between 10 and 20 years with different types of idiopathic scoliosis
(Cobb angle 15 to 60°) were recruited from the scoliosis clinic… Based on the XY co-ordinates
of natural reference points (e.g., eyes) as well as markers placed on several anatomical
landmarks, 32 angular and linear posture indices taken from digital photographs in the
standing position were calculated from a specially developed software program… Posture can
be assessed in a global fashion from photographs in persons with idiopathic scoliosis. Despite
the good reliability of marker placement, other studies are needed to minimise measurement
errors in order to provide a suitable tool for monitoring change in posture over time.

6) Postural compensations and subjective complaints due to backpack loads and wear time in
schoolchildren.

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2013 Spring;25(1):15-24. Kistner F, Fiebert I, Roach K, Moore J.

This study investigated the effects of carrying weighted backpacks of up to 20% of body weight
on the posture and pain complaints of elementary-school children. Craniovertebral, forward
trunk lean and pelvic tilt angles were measured from sagittal photographs of 62 children (8-
11 years old) before and after walking while carrying backpacks containing 10%, 15%, or 20%
of body weight. Pain severity after a 6-minute walk with the loaded backpack was recorded.
Subjective complaints of pain were assessed using a visual analog scale after walking. Repeated-
measures ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in postural angles and increased
complaints of pain after walking with increased backpack loads. These results indicate that
typical backpack loads create worsening postural changes due to backpack loads and time
spent carrying those loads, putting children at increased risk for injury and pain, the latter of
which is a strong predictor for back pain in adulthood.

7) Effect of backpack load carriage on cervical posture in primary schoolchildren.

Work. 2012;41(1):99-108. Kistner F, Fiebert I, Roach K.

This study examined the effects of various backpack loads on elementary schoolchildren’s
posture and postural compensations as demonstrated by a change in forward head position.
Sagittal digital photographs were taken of each subject standing without a backpack, and
then with the loaded backpack before and after walking 6 minutes (6MWT) at free walking
speed. This was repeated over three consecutive weeks using backpacks containing randomly
assigned weights of 10%, 15%, or 20% body weight of each respective subject. The
craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured using digitizing software, recorded and analyzed.
Subjects demonstrated immediate and statistically significant changes in CVA, indicating
increased forward head positions upon donning the backpacks containing 15% and 20% body
weight. Following the 6MWT, the CVA demonstrated further statistically significant changes
for all backpack loads indicating increased forward head postures. For the 15 & 20%BW
conditions, more than 50% of the subjects reported discomfort after walking, with the neck
as the primary location of reported pain.

Effect of backpack weight on postural angles in preadolescent children.