The effects of backpack placement on upper body forward postural angles: Craniovertebral, sagittal shoulder, and trunk forward lean

Abstract

This study examined effects of backpack placement on posture while walking when backpacks are worn with two shoulder straps at two different heights. Thirty young, healthy adults underwent motion analysis to capture posture using an identified marker set to observe three angles used to measure posture with the backpack worn at high and low spinal levels. High and low backpack placement resulted in differences in upper body postural angles. These results suggest that backpack placement has an impact on forward posture, however functional postural change could not be determined.