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Questionnaire data are analyzed using means, standard deviation, and independent samples t-test. Findings show frequent physical discomfort, affecting mobility, posture, and classroom concentration, with design moderating strain.",{"@graph":14,"@context":65},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & 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30918/AERJ.131.24.067 ISSN: 2354-2160  \nFull Length Research Paper  \nThe weight they carry: Effects of heavy backpacks on junior high school students in Effutu Municipality, Ghana  \nSimon Kormla Donkor1* and Charles Domfeh2  \n1 Department of Basic Education, Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.  \n2 Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), Faculty of Science and Technology Education, College of Education Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.  \nAccepted 16 December, 2024  \n\n| ABSTRACT\u003Cbr>This study investigates the prevalence, physical complaints, and impacts of heavy backpack use among junior high school students, with a focus on understanding how the weight and design of backpacks affect students' physical well-being and academic efficiency. The study was underpinned by the ergonomic theory. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 300 respondents who were sampled using stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire data was analysed via means, standard deviation and independent samples t-test. The findings reveal that heavy backpack use is common among students, with many reporting physical discomfort, including back pain, shoulder soreness, and fatigue. These complaints significantly affect students’ mobility, posture, and concentration in class. Additionally, backpack design plays a crucial role in alleviating or exacerbating these issues, with well-designed backpacks improving students' ability to manage school materials and reducing physical strain. The implications of these findings highlight the need for ergonomic interventions and design improvements to reduce the adverse effects of heavy backpacks on students’ health and academic performance. Recommendations include promoting awareness of backpack weight limits, encouraging the use of ergonomically designed backpacks, and incorporating guidelines for safe backpack use in school health programmes.\u003Cbr>Keywords: Heavy backpack, prevalence, physical complaints, impact, ergonomics, students. |\n| --- |\n| *Corresponding author. E-mail: [ksdonkor@uew.edu.gh](ksdonkor@uew.edu.gh). |\n\nINTRODUCTION  \nThe increasing prevalence of heavy backpack use among junior high school students has become a pressing concern globally. These students often carry academic materials such as textbooks, laptops, and personal items, which can result in excessive loads. Studies suggest that these loads frequently exceed the recommended weight limit of 10% of a student's body weight, contributing to a variety of physical, psychological, and academic challenges. As education systems increasingly emphasize academic performance, the burden of carrying heavy backpacks may have unintended health and behavioural  \nconsequences for learners. Globally, studies have shown that heavy backpack use is a common phenomenon among junior high school students. In some regions, as many as 50% of students carry backpacks that weigh more than 10% of their body weight, the maximum limit recommended by health experts (Afolabi, Afolabi and Oludipe, 2023) . The problem is particularly pronounced in developing countries, where students often lack access to lockers and must carry all their school materials daily. Research also highlights gender disparities, with girls more likely to experience issues due to differences in  \nDonkor and Domfeh 15  \nphysical strength and the types of materials they carry. The growing prevalence of heavy backpack use can be attributed to multiple factors. Curriculum demands require students to bring numerous books and materials to school each day, often without consideration of their ergonomic effects. Furthermore, the popularity of fashionable yet impractical backpack designs exacerbates the problem, as these designs may not distribute weight evenly or provide adequate support.  \nThe physical health implications o","cbCaieySyFOkFlta","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaieySyFOkFlta","pdf",243737,"English","# Introduction\n## Heavy backpack prevalence and contributing factors\n## Physical health implications\n## Psychological and academic consequences","[{\"question\":\"What main outcomes were reported for students using heavy backpacks?\",\"answer\":\"Many students reported physical discomfort such as back pain, shoulder soreness, and fatigue, and these complaints were linked to reduced mobility, posture issues, and lower concentration in class.\"}]","The weight they carry - Effects of heavy backpacks on junior high school students in Effutu Municipality, Ghana | PDF",1792071636,23]