carrying backpacks on one shoulder

[Rick Hinrichs (ariz. State Univ. Usa)]

Dear Biomch-l subscribers:

In response to a student question, I am posting the following to the list
in hopes of finding an answer. I will post a summary of replies.

Question:

Is it harmful to carry a backpack only on one shoulder (as many school
children do)? Is the asymmetrical loading produced by this behavior
bad for the spine or other areas of the body? Has there been any good
research on this topic? Any information you provide will be appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

--Rick

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| Richard N. Hinrichs, Ph.D. | email: Hinrichs@ASU.EDU |
| Associate Professor | or Hinrichs@ESPE1.LA.ASU.EDU |
| Dept. of Exercise Science & PE | or atrnh@ACVAX.INRE.ASU.EDU |
| Arizona State University | Phone: (602) 965-1624 |
| Tempe, AZ 85287-0404 USA | FAX: (602) 965-8108 |
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