Identificación de los cambios en los ángulos posturales con las cargas y modos de uso de las maletas escolares

Purpose: To determine the changes in postural angles with different loads and usage of school bags and the possible association with pain in school children and adolescents between 6 and 16 years of age. Methodology: A cross-sectional study realized in a school in Cota municipality, to determine the school bag features and identification of postural angles changes with different loads and usage of the school bags and the possible association with back pain. A software was used to analyze the photographs and to determine possible alterations of postural angles with different loads of school bags. Results: 159 children were included in this study. The average age was 10.79 (SD +/- 2.6) years, 45.9% males and 54% females. The average weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were 41.2 kg; 146.7 cm and 18.5 kg / m2 respectively. The school bag average weight was 4.2 kg, equivalent to 12.8% of body weight. The average weight of the bag in females was 4.3 kg (11.5% of body weight) and 4.2 kg (11.7% of body weight). The variation of the angles using the bag carrying the load identified, show a statistically significant difference in craniovertebral angle in all groups evaluated (7-9 years p=0.002, 10-11 years p= 11 years p= <0.001). 27.6% of children reported pain with the bag use. There are a statistically significant association between the presence of incidental pain and the girls OR = 2.22 (95% CI 1.04-4.74), the perception of usual load in the school bag OR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.04-2.48), the bag average weight OR = 1.36 (95% CI 1.06-1.75). Conclusion: 51% of school bags exceed 10% of body weight in a range of 1.07-10.2 kg. In many cases, the empty school bag could become 5% of the body weight of the child. The school bag average weight was 13.3% in children who report pain. The back pain was the most common type. The school bag average weight and the perception of usual load in the school bag, are may be related to the incidental pain.