The effect of furniture intervention on the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders and academic performance of students in North-West Nigeria.

Background: Mismatch between classroom furniture and the students' anthropometry have been identified as a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among students. Such discomforts can affect students' performance.

Objective: This paper is aimed at investigating the prevalence of MSDs and the effect of furniture intervention among students of tertiary institutions in Northwest Nigeria.

Backpack-back pain complexity and the need for multifactorial safe weight recommendation.

The study analysed backpack-related back pain in school children by investigating the possibility of multiple interactions among causative factors, which may be responsible for the non-conclusive findings on the issue. Using data from 444 prepubescent schoolchildren, a mixed method design combining survey, observation and direct measurement strategies was implemented. Using a multivariate structural equation modelling approach, the study investigated interactions among anthropometry, posture, backpack volume, rating and back pain constructs, with each construct made of 2-4 indicators.

Interaction of body mass index and age in muscular activities among backpack carrying male schoolchildren.

Background: The complex and limited understanding of the interactions among multiple factors associated with back pain occurrence among schoolchildren might explain the current inconclusive and contradictory findings on the issue. The global increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, which reportedly affects children's physical abilities, calls for concern among school/children ergonomists and other stakeholders.

Objective: The study investigated the interaction of body mass index (BMI) and age on the muscular activities, backpack height and perceived level of pain arising from carrying different weight of backpacks.