Article

Although the scientific community widely recognizes that backpack carriage in
primary school children represents a critical issue, its consequences in terms of
postural alterations and possible onset of musculoskeletal pathologies are still
not fully understood. In particular, little information is available on the way
load carriage modifies the foot-ground relationship in terms of plantar pressure
distribution. This issue is of particular relevance, because the presence of a
load alters the physiological weightbearing functions and, when mechanical
overloading is repeated in time, it can act as a co-factor in promoting foot
discomfort or pain. On the basis of these considerations, this study analyzed
plantar pressure maps of 359 children attending primary schools (6-10 years old)
under static upright posture conditions, to assess the magnitude and features of
effects originated by load carriage on the foot-ground relationship. The
collected data showed that backpack introduces significant increases in overall
contact area (up to 10%) and in the plantar pressure peaks in midfoot and
forefoot regions (20-30%). A significant shift in the average position of the
center of pressure towards the forefoot was also observed, as an indicator of the
body's attempt to restore the initial balance conditions threatened by the load.
These results suggest that heavy loads, in the case of significant exposure
times, may increase the risk of foot discomfort and act as a co-factor in the
onset of foot structure alterations or pathologies.
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Langue : ANGLAIS