RT Journal
A1 Macias BR, Murthy G, Chambers H, Hargens AR
T1 HIgh contact pressure beneath backpack straps of children contributes to pain
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2005
FD December 1
VO 159
IS 12
SP 1186
OP 1188
DO 10.1001/archpedi.159.12.1186
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.159.12.1186
AB 
Worldwide, 92% to 94% of schoolchildren carry backpacks1- 2 and frequently complain of shoulder and back pain.1,3 On average, children load their backpacks between 10% to 22% body weight (BW).4- 5 An understanding of how loads are distributed under backpack straps may help identify the source of shoulder and back pain in children. The purpose of this study was to quantify the contact pressures and perceived pain under backpack straps while children carried varying loads.