CHANGES IN HEAD & SHOULDER POSTURE OF COLLEGIATE STUDENTS CARRYING LAPTOP BAG AS SIDE PACK

Abstract

Introduction: Backpack carriage is common among adults, schoolchildren and adolescents for daily transferring of personal belongings, laptops, books and stationeries to and from offices, colleges or schools. As the load of backpack is directly applied to the spine via the shoulder straps and external loading has been demonstrated to be associated with spinal disorders.Purpose of the study: is to find out the changes in head posture & shoulder by 2D method in collegiate student with backpack and side pack. Materials and Methods:105 subjects collegiate student were recruited to measure the head posture. Photograph of the cervicothoracic region were taken from side to measure craniovertebral angle and sagittal shoulder posture with loaded right side pack and left side pack. Results:Comparison between individuals with side pack and without any pack in craniovertebral angle and sagittal shoulder posture was done using pared sample t test and the result showed significant differences. When comparison was done between different pack the results showed significant between back pack & right side pack and back pack & left side pack. Conclusions:The subjects who were carrying load in side pack for prolonged past duration and presently 2 hours per day have decreased craniovertebral angle and produces forward head posture when compared with no pack and sagittal shoulder angle increases which produces rounded shoulder posture.