© Copyright by Uniwersytet Opolski

e-ISSN 2544-1620 Medical Science Pulse 2023 (17) 4

Original papers DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0054.1838

Evaluation of the effect

of the carried baggage on the selected
stabilometric parameters,
body posture, and occurrence of pain
in young women

Joanna Rajfur1 A,B,D-G Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole,

1

• ORCID: 0000-0003-0804-1301 Poland

2
Fizjo Femi Care Natalia Roden, Opole, Poland
Katarzyna Rajfur1 A,B,D-F 3
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Za-
• ORCID: 0000-0002-0310-6869
brze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Natalia Roden2 B,D,E
• ORCID: 0000-0001-5499-167X

Beata Fras-Łabanc1 B,F

• ORCID: 0000-0003-1794-0384

Paweł Dolibog1,3 C-E

• ORCID: 0000-0003-4781-5162

A – study design, B – data collection, C – statistical analysis, D – interpretation of data, E – manuscript preparation, F – literature review, G – sourcing of funding

ABSTRACT
Background: Posture ergonomics is becoming an increasingly discussed issue in the literature. The effect of
daily habits and attitudes, especially overloading ones, is an important topic of currently conducted research.
Performing simple tasks correctly is an important aspect. The following paper deals with the topic of women’s
handbags and the effect of carrying them on various stabilometric parameters.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to check whether the examined women who carry a one-shoulder bag are
affected by posture and the occurrence of pain.
Material and methods: Forty-two women aged 20–25 years were enrolled in the study and were assigned to
two equal comparison groups: group A – ladies carrying a purse on the right arm and group B – ladies carrying
a purse on the left arm. The following tests were performed: evaluation of postural stability, including total
sway path (SP) using a stabilometric platform, the degree of spinal curvature was assessed with a scoliometer,
the degree of pelvic tilt was measured with an electronic inclinometer, and the extent of lateral head flexion
was checked with an electronic goniometer. Back pain intensity was assessed using the VAS scale.
Results: There appeared to be a statistically significant difference in the transfer of the center of gravity to
the right side in group A and to the left side in group B. As for the stabilometric parameters, only the SP [mm]
parameter achieved statistical significance. The highest correlations were observed in group A, between pain
complaints and the range of head flexion to the right (r= –0.62). In both groups, no significant statistical dif-
ferences were found within the groups with and without declared pain (p>0.05). However, in the intergroup
comparison for patients without a bag (p=0.01), with their own bag (p=0.04), and with a 3 kg bag (p=0.02),
there were statistically significant differences.
Conclusions: A bag worn on one shoulder can provoke the occurrence of back pain. The stabilometric results
indicate abnormalities while free-standing. Education about pain prevention and maintaining proper posture
is important.
Keywords: back load, carry-on luggage, back pain, body posture

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 Evaluation of the effect of the carried baggage on the selected stabilometric parameters... 49

Background In their paper, Hong et al. presented the re-

lationship between spinal curvatures and their
Posture ergonomics is becoming an increasingly changes depending on the type of luggage and per-
discussed issue in the literature. This may be due to centage of load. Thirteen boys walked up and down
the ever-increasing number of people suffering from the stairs with a backpack symmetrically placed on
chronic pain associated with various medical condi- their shoulders or with a bag placed diagonally on
tions. Effect observations of individual elements of their left shoulder. The spinal range of motion was
everyday life on human body functioning have be- examined using a motion analysis system. Statisti-
come an important area of research [1]. cal significance was obtained for differences in spi-
Looking more closely at arthritis and reported nal excursions with the bag worn over the shoulder.
pain, women should pay particular attention to The excursions became larger as the bag’s weight in-
adopting the correct posture on a daily basis and creased, 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. The
make sure they are not carrying unnecessary weight. largest differences were shown with loads exceeding
When working, women report more pain than men. 15%. For the tests with a backpack, and thus a sym-
Neck and shoulder joint disorders are mentioned as metrical load, the excursions were not significant,
the most common ones, next to the most popular regardless of its weight [10].
lower spinal pain [2]. This emphasizes the need for Different results were presented by Akbar et al.
changes in women’s functioning and the use of pre- After examining approximately 950 children and the
vention in this area. relationship between bag weights and lower spinal
In their studies, Dockrell et al. [3] and Koroves- pain, no relationship was noted. Their observations
sis et al. [4] indicated that spinal pain affects adoles- suggest that the overall weight of the bag does not
cent females more often than adolescent males. This significantly affect the development of discomfort.
may be related to the decrease in upper body muscle In the study, the subjective attitude of the student
strength of females [5]. The typical method of car- wearing the backpack in relation to their complaints
rying bags in adolescent girls is to put them on one proved to be the most significant. If the student per-
shoulder and wear them on the same side of the body ceived that the baggage was heavy or very heavy, the
[6]. This method of bag carrying can negatively affect likelihood of symptoms increased significantly. These
posture and provoke pain [7]. researchers emphasized that lower back pain is gener-
In available search engines (Web of Science Core ally prevalent and a characteristic of highly developed
Collection, PubMed, MEDLINE), we found a limited countries. The problem can occur as early as school
number of published studies on the impact of carry- age [11].
ing luggage on spinal load, pain, and body posture in It is worth striving to eliminate factors that cause
young women. incorrect body positioning and the occurrence of
Toledo et al. studied 258 women carrying a bag pain. One of the elements may be the way of carry-
on one shoulder. In their research, women had their ing a bag.
static balance assessed using a two-meter electronic
baropodometer (FootWalk Pro, AM CUBE, France)
with a sampling frequency of 200 Hz. It has been Aim of the study
shown that the use of a unilateral bag by women
causes changes in plantar pressure and the ipsilateral This study aimed to check whether the examined
center of gravity. It is a risk factor or an intensifica- women who carry a one-shoulder bag are affected by
tion for musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain [8]. posture, stabilometric parameters, and the occur-
Polish researchers conducted research aimed at rence of back pain.
determining changes in body posture depending on
the way a light handbag is carried. Thirty-two young
people (20 women and 12 men) took part in the Material and methods
project. Participants underwent body posture testing
using the ZEBRIS Pointer system. In their report, the Study design
authors indicated that carrying even a small load in
the form of a handbag can significantly change the The study was conducted on a group of 42 women
quality of body posture and depend on the way the between the age range of 20 to 25 years carrying a
weight is transferred [9]. handbag. The subjects were divided into two groups:
An important aspect may be education in the field women wearing handbags on the right side and
of pain prevention and maintaining proper posture, women wearing handbags on the left side. The study
as well as the implementation of the principles of lug- was conducted in April 2020 in the functional testing
gage ergonomics as an element of pain prevention in laboratory at the Public Higher Medical Professional
school-age children. School in Opole, Poland.

Medical Science Pulse 2023 (17) 4

50 Joanna Rajfur et al.

Participants respect to sex, age, body weight, and height. Pain

complaints such as cervical, thoracic, and shoulder
Forty-two subjects were enrolled in the study, complex pain were present in 19 (45.23%) patients.
out of whom, the group of women wearing the purse The average bag weight was 2.5 kg. In contrast, the
on the right side constituted 21 subjects (50%), sim- mean percentage ratio of bag weight to subject
ilar to the left side group, which also included 21 weight was 4.06±1.68%. Detailed data is shown in
subjects (50%). The groups were homogeneous with Table 1.

Table 1. Characteristics of the study group

Group A (Right) Group B (Left)

Variables Study group p
n=21 n=21

Amount of patients Women (n%) 42 (100%) 21 (100%) 21 (100%) —

Age (years):
Arithmetic mean 22.0 21.8 22.1
Standard deviation 1.62 1.4 1.9 0.55*
Median 22.0 22.0 23.0
Range 20–25 20–24 20–25
Height (cm):
Arithmetic mean 166.0 166.0 166.0
Standard deviation 5.4 4.1 6.6 0.79*
Median 165.0 165.0 165.0
Range 158–180 159–178 158–180
Weight (kg):
Arithmetic mean 62.8 62.6 63.1
Standard deviation 10.6 9.6 11.7 0.87*
Median 60.0 60.0 60.0
Range 43–93 49–87 43–93
BMI:
Arithmetic mean 22.8 22.8 22.8
Standard deviation 3.6 3.4 3.9 0.95*
Median 22.1 22.0 22.2
Range 17–32 17–32 17–31
>30 (n%) 2 (4.76%) —
<30 (n%) 40 (95.24%)
Upper limb dominant: Left (n%) 5 (11.9%) 2 (9.5%) 3 (14.3%)
*0.63**
Right (n%) 37 (88.1%) 19 (80.5%) 18 (85.7%)
Lower limb dominant: Left (n%) 4 (9.52%) 1 (4.24%) 3 (14.29%)
*0.29**
Right (n%) 38 (90.48%) 20 (95.24%) 18 (85.71%)
Occurrence of ailments of pain Occurrence of ailments (n%) 19 (45.23%) 7 (33.33%) 12 (57.14%)
*0.12**
No ailments (n%) 23 (54.77%) 14 (66.67%) 9 (42.86%)
Weight of handbag (kg):
Arithmetic mean 2.5 2.5 2.6
Standard deviation 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.72*
Median 2.45 2.4 2.5
Range 0.49–4.56 0.49–4.23 0.78–4.56
Distribution of % handbag weight
to body weight of subjects [%]:
Arithmetic mean 4.1 4.0 4.2
0.90*
Standard deviation 1.7 1.7 1.7
Median 4.1 4.0 4.2
Range 0.8–8.3 0.8–7.3 1.4–8.3
* U-Mann-Whitney test; ** χ2 test.

Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria included consent to participate The criteria for exclusion from the research in-
in the study and general good health, no injuries, or cluded refusal to participate in the research.
past surgeries within the previous year, age range of
20–25 years, and regularly carrying a single shoulder
bag for at least 2 years.

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 Evaluation of the effect of the carried baggage on the selected stabilometric parameters... 51

Ethical considerations intensity from 0 to 10; 0 means “no pain” and 10

means “the strongest pain”).
Prior to participation in the study, each partici-
pant was informed of the purpose and conduct of
the study and gave informed consent. Each subject Statistical methods
was instructed on the order of testing and given full
­instructions on how to perform the tests. The study Statistical analyses were developed using the
was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of statistical package, Statistica version 13. Scale
Helsinki. Approval was also obtained from the Insti- scores depending on whether the subjects had a bag
tutional Review Board of the National Medical Uni- or not and what bag it was were compared using the
versity of Opole, Poland (No. KB/200/FI/2019). analysis for repeated measures Friedmann Annova
test and post hoc Dunn Bonferroni test. The Mann-
Whitney U test was used for comparisons between
Data sources/measurement the two groups. Using the Spearman Rank Correla-
tion Coefficient (r), it was checked whether there
The CQ Stab2P stabilometric platform (CQ Ele- was a correlation between the degree of iliac wing
ktronik System, Czernica, Poland) was used to analyze tilt and the degree of back curvature (Table 6), the
postural stability parameters, including total path percentage distribution of body weight to the right
length (SP – Sway Path). The measurements were per- or left side, the degree of pelvic tilt (Table 7), pain
formed sequentially in three trials: in a free-standing complaints, and the range of motion of lateral head
position, with the subject’s bag attached to the shoul- flexion (Table 8). The correlation was greater the
der, and with a 3 kg fixed-weight bag attached to the closer the value was to 1.0. Correlations between
shoulder. A single test lasted 30 seconds. 0.2 and 0.4 were considered clear, 0.4 and 0.6 were
A K-FORCE electronic goniometer was used to considered significant, 0.6 and 0.8 were considered
measure the range of right and left lateral head flex- considerable, 0.8 and 0.9 were considered very high,
ion. The results were recorded according to the SFTR whereas 0.9 and 1.0 were considered to mean vir-
method. The standard, according to ISOM, is ex- tually a complete correlation. A correlation below
pressed in degrees Fahrenheit 45-0-45 [12]. 0.2 was not significant. When a “–” appears in the
Trunk asymmetry was measured using a Bunell result, it means that the relationship is inversely
scoliometer. The examination was performed in a proportional. A test probability of p<0.05 was con-
standing position. The patient, positioned with her sidered significant, and a test probability of p<0.01
back to the examiner, performed a forward bend with was considered highly significant.
her hands joined in front of her. The measurement
was read at Th1-L5, and the highest score was obtained
and recorded. Results
The study also evaluated the degree of pelvic tilt
using an OPIW Bevel Box electronic inclinometer. During free standing on the stabilometric
The measurement was made by applying the arms of ­ latform, before putting on the bags, regard-
p
a caliper to which the inclinometer is attached on the less of the preferred side of carrying the luggage,
same side as the anterior superior iliac spine and the the weight of the body rested more on the right side
posterior superior iliac spine. The measurement was (for ladies preferring the right side – 51.3%, for la-
performed analogously on the left and right wing of dies preferring the left side – 52.57%). A summary
the ilium. of the results is shown in Table 2. Comparisons were
Subjective pain sensations in the back area were made between subjects wearing the bags on the
determined using a visual analog scale (VAS, the pain same arm.

Table 2. Distribution of % body weight to the right side in the group of subjects carrying a handbag

Without a handbag With an own handbag With a 3 kg handbag

Variables p* Post-hoc
(WH) (OH) (3H)

Group A Mean±SD 51.3±2.8 53.3±4.5 55.1±3.8

<0.01 WH vs 3H
Median (min-max) 51.0 (46.0–58.0) 54.0 (44.0–61.0) 55.0 (47.0–64.0)
Group B Mean±SD 52.6±3.8 48.5±3.1 48.8±4.1 WH vs OH,
<0.01
Median (min-max) 52.0 (47.0–63.0) 48.0 (42.0–56.0) 49.0 (39.0–57.0) 3H

p** 0.24 <0.01 <0.01

p* – Friedmann Annova test; p** – U Mann-Withney test.

Medical Science Pulse 2023 (17) 4

52 Joanna Rajfur et al.

In group A – ladies carrying a bag on the right In group B – ladies carrying a purse on the left
shoulder, there was a statistically significant arm, highly statistically significant (p<0.01) differ-
(p<0.05) difference in terms of weight transfer to ences were found between measurements without
the side identical to the bag carried when the meas- and with their own purse (p=0.000), as well as with-
urement values were compared without the bag on out and with a 3 kg purse (p=0.002). There were no
and with their own bag (p=0.043), as well as with differences in the comparison of parameters with
their own bag and a 3 kg bag (p=0.021). Compari- their own bags, compared to a 3 kg bag. The body
son between the results collected during the test weight of the subjects in this group shifted to the left
without the bag and with a 3 kg bag yielded high side after putting on their luggage.
(p<0.01) statistical significance (p=0.000). During Table 3 shows the results of the percentage distri-
testing, the subject’s body weight was shifted to the bution of body weight on the right side depending on
right side. declared pain.

Table 3. Distribution of % body weight to the right side in the group of patients with different categories of pain

Without With an With a 3 kg

Variables p* Post-hoc
a handbag own handbag handbag

With pain Mean±SD 50.3±2.4 49.5±4.7 50.5±5.4

(19) 0.26 —
Median (min-max) 50.0 (47.0–56.0) 49.0 (42.0–61.0) 50.0 (42.0–64.0)
Without pain Mean±SD 53.1±3.7 52.1±4.1 53.1±4.6
(23) 0.15 —
Median (min-max) 53.0 (46.0–63.0) 53.0 (46.0–59.0) 54.0 (39.0–59.0)
p** 0.01 0.04 0.02
p* – Friedmann Annova test; p** – U Mann-Withney test.

In both groups, there were no significant statis- (50.3±2.4 vs. 53.1±3.7), with their own bag (49.5±4.7
tical differences within the groups with and without vs. 52.1±4.1), and with a 3 kg bag (50.5±5.4 vs.
declared pain (p > 0.05). However, in the intergroup 53.1±4.6). This may be due to the fact that patients
comparisons of patients without a bag (p=0.01), with with declared pain compensated for the pain by stiff-
their own bag (p=0.04), and with a 3 kg bag (p=0.02), ening their postural muscles, and therefore the right-
there were statistically significant differences. Pa- side tilt was minimal, or they leaned to the left.
tients without a reported level of pain showed The results of the total SP in both groups are
greater deviation to the right, both without a bag shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Mean statokinesiogram length as a function of carried baggage (SP [mm])

Without With an With a 3 kg

Variables p* Post-hoc
a handbag own handbag handbag

Group A Mean±SD 239.6±49.4 234.0±54.9 233.1±52.7

0.81 —
Median (min-max) 234.0 (177.0–377.0) 220.0 (165.0–357.0) 219.0 (177.0–347.0)
Group B Mean±SD 216.7±38.6 210.1±32.4 207.6±36.5
0.10 —
Median (min-max) 218.0 (143.0–286.0) 208.0 (142.0–277.0) 202.0 (146.0–309.0)
p** 0.18 0.27 0.17
p* – Friedmann Annova test; p** – U Mann-Withney test.

By analyzing the arithmetic averages, it can be cant. In group B, the comparison of the results with-
seen that the path determined by the projection of out a bag and with their own bag (p=0.000), as well
the center of gravity in both groups shortens when as with a 3 kg bag (p=0.006), turned out to be highly
luggage is added. This may suggest that adopting statistically significant.
a more stable posture is performed to maintain bal- A summary of the arithmetic means of the meas-
ance, despite the asymmetrical load. In group A, the urements of lateral head flexion range, degree of spi-
differences between the values without and with nal curvature, and degree of iliac wing tilt depending
a 3 kg bag (p=0.000), as well as their own and a 3 kg on the group is shown in Table 5.
bag (p=0.016), turned out to be statistically signifi-

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 Evaluation of the effect of the carried baggage on the selected stabilometric parameters... 53

Table 5. Summary of the arithmetic means of the range of right There was no correlation in group A between the
and left head flexion, right- and left-sided Cobb angle, and the tilt percentage load of the right or left KD and the de-
degree of the right and left iliac wings
gree of right or left iliac wing tilt. A clear relationship
Variables Group A Group B p* (-0.26/0.26) was shown between the degree of right
Range of right and left Right 35.43 32.86 0.16 iliac wing tilt and the percentage distribution of body
head flexion [°] Left 33.9 31.38 0.26 weight between the right and left sides.
Right and left-sided Right 4.37 1.98 0.96
Cobb angle [°] Table 8. Results of correlation between the range of lateral head
Left 1.81 0.81 0.71
flexion and perceived pain in groups A and B
Tilt degree of the right Right 9.66 10.61 0.37
and left hip wings of Group A Range of right Range of left
ilium [°] Left 8.47 9.75 0.31
r-Spearmana correlation head flexion head flexion
VAS Scale –0.62 –0.13
Regardless of the preferred carrying side, the ex-
Group B Range of right Range of left
tent of right head flexion and the degree of right iliac
r-Spearmana correlation head flexion head flexion
wing tilt are greater than that on the left side. The
VAS Scale –0.02 –0.02
same applies to back pain curvature, but the angle is
greater in ladies carrying a purse on the right shoul-
When comparing pain complaints with the later-
der compared to the other group.
al head flexion range of motion in group A, there was
Table 6. Results of the correlation between the extent of iliac a significant degree of negative correlation (–0.62)
wing tilt and the right- and left-sided Cobb angle tests in groups between the range of head flexion to the right and
A and B the subjects’ complaints of pain. In practice, this
Tilt degree Tilt degree may mean that the greater the subject’s range of
Variables of the right hip of the left hip lateral head flexion to the right, the less pain they
wing of ilium wing of ilium
experience. No correlation was shown in group B.
Group A r-Spearmana correlation
Curvature of thoracic
spine on the right side
–0.25 –0.03 Discussion
Curvature of thoracic This paper addresses a topic that affects thou-
–0.39 –0.36
spine on the left side
sands of women around the world every day – can the
Group B r-Spearmana correlation
daily carried handbag negatively affect our health?
Curvature of thoracic
spine on the right side
–0.32 –0.24 An important aspect of our study is the weight of the
bag and the style of carrying it. The target group of
Curvature of thoracic
spine on the left side
–0.08 –0.00 our study was exclusively women, who use this type
of luggage on a daily basis. Our study has shown that
When comparing the degree of curvature of the the way one carries the bag can affect pain perception
spine and the tilt of the iliac wings, the highest cor- and body posture.
relations were shown in group A between the angle Abdon et al. conducted a study on a group of
of tilt of the right iliac wing and the curvature of the 316 women. They showed a significant relationship
spine on the left side (0.39), and in group B between between the weight of the bag worn and pain com-
the tilt of the right iliac wing and the curvature of the plaints in the subjects. There appeared to be a statisti-
spine on the right side (0.32). cally significant relationship between the occurrence
of pain and a bag heavier than 4% of its owner’s body
Table 7. Results of the correlation between the percentage distri-
weight, which increased with the weight of the bag
bution of body weight to the right or left side and the degree of tilt
of the iliac wings in groups A and B [13]. In our study, the average bag weight of women
with pain was 4.11% of their body weight (with the
% distribution % distribution
Variables of body weight of body weight
average bag weight of all participants constituting
to the right side to the left side 2.5% of their body weight).
Group A r-Spearmana correlation The results developed by Li et al. suggest that the
Tilt degree of the right
use of a properly controlled asymmetrical load may
–0.13 –0.13 have an effect on reducing lateral spinal curvature.
hip wing of ilium
Tilt degree of the left hip The weight used in their study constituted: 0%, 2.5%,
–0.10 –0.10
wing of ilium 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% of the participant’s body
Group B r-Spearmana correlation weight. Cobb’s angle decreased when the bag was
Tilt degree of the right placed on the side of the frame where the curvature
–0.26 –0.26
hip wing of ilium was present (the weight was on the opposite side).
Tilt degree of the left hip
–0.19 –0.19
This relationship occurred bilaterally [14]. In our
wing of ilium
study, the angle of spinal curvature was measured

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54 Joanna Rajfur et al.

only in the free position, without loads. The results Limitations of the study
showed that individuals wearing a bag on the right
shoulder on a daily basis had a higher average Cobb When analyzing the results of our study, it
angle for right-sided curvatures (4.37°) compared to should be noted that the paper contains several
those wearing a bag on the opposite shoulder (1.98°). limitations. It is certainly worthwhile to expand
The situation is similar for left-sided curvatures. future studies by adding more precise measure-
According to Otrębska et al., the way a load is ment tools (e.g., superficial electromyography, 3D
carried has a significant impact on the activity of in- gait assessment). The small number of participants
dividual muscles. The authors of their study demon- and their young age also constitute study limita-
tions. The study design should be continued with
strated that asymmetrical loads can have an adverse
more participants, as well as other age groups.
effect on the human body, especially when perform-
The study also did not include information on the
ing everyday activities such as carrying a bag on one’s
physical activity of the respondents, which affects
shoulder and a handbag on the forearm. The study
functioning in daily life. These comments certainly
indicated that the quadriceps muscle was more ac-
represent the limitations of our publication. There is
tive on the loaded side, while the latissimus dorsi
still a need to have other research centers continue
muscle, the erector spinae muscle, and the gluteus
their studies in the future and verify the results ob-
medius muscle showed increased activity on the side
tained. There is little literature available on the re-
opposite the load in most subjects. The erector spinae
search presented in our paper.
muscle is responsible for maintaining the balance of
the torso [15]. Its highest activity was observed when
carrying a bag on one shoulder, as indicated in the Clinical implications
study by Hardie R et al. [7]. As stated in the study by There is little research on the effects of handbag
Grimmer et al., in such situations, the center of grav- carrying on posture and the incidence of back pain
ity is pushed furthest to the side, which may cause in women. The study’s findings discussed in our pa-
a greater tendency for the spinal column to lean later- per confirm the importance of this issue. It is impor-
ally [16]. tant to continually educate people about prevention,
In our study, patients with declared pain compen- to reduce the risk of back pain in people of all ages
sated for the pain they felt by stiffening their pos- from carrying bags over one shoulder. One should
tural muscles, and therefore, their right-side tilt was avoid carrying the bag asymmetrically, especially in
minimal, or they leaned to the left. cases of people who have experienced pain. Carrying
Carrying various types of hand luggage asym- a backpack and evenly distributing the weight can be
metrically may adversely affect body posture and a safe alternative. In addition, shifting the bag regu-
provoke pain. As studies show, asymmetrically bear- larly from one side to the other can have a positive
ing loads can have an adverse effect on the human impact on one’s health.
body [17,18]. Nevertheless, according to a study
conducted by Pascoe et al., the vast majority of stu-
Conclusions
dents (72.3%) choose to carry their bags on a single
shoulder [19]. After analyzing the results of our study, we con-
In their study, Hardie et al. suggested that a two- clude that the way women carry their handbags, tak-
strap backpack should be used to carry loads to re- ing into account their weight, has a significant effect
duce spinal muscle activity, which in turn may reduce on their posture, range of motion, and back pain. The
reports of back pain [7]. method of carrying luggage and its weight can cause
Other researchers have also reported that asym- negative health effects. Education about pain preven-
metrical carrying in children and adolescents is a tion and maintaining proper posture is important. It
risk factor for back pain, and, as a result, may in- is reasonable to implement the principles of luggage
fluence the occurrence of spinal pain in adulthood ergonomics as an element of pain prevention as early
[20,21]. as in school-aged children.

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Word count: 4146 • Tables: 8 • Figures: 0 • References: 21

Sources of funding:
The research was funded by the authors.

Conflicts of interests:
The authors report that there were no conflicts of interest.

Cite this article as:

Rajfur J, Rajfur K, Roden N, Fras-Łabanc B, Dalibog P.
Evaluation of the effect of the carried baggage on the selected stabilometric parameters, body posture,
and occurrence of pain in young women.
Med Sci Pulse 2023;17(4):48–55. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0054.1838.

Corresponding author:
Joanna Rajfur
Email: [email protected]
Uniwersytet Opolski, Instytut Nauk Medycznych
ul. Katowicka 68, 45-060 Opole, Poland
Other authors/contact:
Katarzyna Rajfur
Email: [email protected]
Natalia Roden
Email: [email protected]
Beata Fras-Łabanc
Email: [email protected] Received: 17 November 2023
Paweł Dolibog Reviewed: 14 December 2023
Email: [email protected] Accepted: 20 December 2023

Medical Science Pulse 2023 (17) 4