Carrying of School Bags by Children

Studies have been conducted to determine the most economical way of carrying school bags by children. Six schoolboys between 9 and 15 years of age were used as subjects. They were made to march at 2.5 mph carrying school bags weighing 6 lb in four different positions, i.e. rucksack, low back, across the shoulder, and in the hand. Minute ventilation, oxygen consumption and pulse rate were recorded during the steady state of marching. The rise in those measures was found to be minimal when the bag was carried in rucksack fashion, and maximum values were found when it was carried in the hand; the low back and the side positions being intermediate.