A CASE STUDY

Introduction Aim

of Study question and Method

Research

Questionnaire Conclusion

Anthropometry is the science that deals with measurements of the human body, example height, weight, and size of component parts. Anthropometric analysis studies and compares the relative proportions under normal and abnormal conditions, as well as the related variables that affect these measurements. The health of the TRNC children are of great importance as they are the future of this country. Thus the results of this study will be useful in creating the desired awareness that will be very helpful in promoting healthy living for our future leaders. Hence, this study intends to make a comprehensive anthropometric analysis of elementary school children, because the posture of children shapes up

Backpacks are commonly used by children in Elementary schools across the world. Previous studies have linked backpack misuse or overloading to back pain reported by school children. (correlates of heavy backpack use by elementary school children S.N Forjuoha, J. A Schuchmamb, Public Health (2004)) Many elementary school children return home with backpacks loaded with numerous books, school supplies and many other personal belongings. Often, they bend over under the tension of the load. Many of these students carry bags that are equal or more than 30 percent of their body weight

Ergonomics plays an important role in the education sector of the TRNC, as studies have shown relationships of student performance and educational design, which includes curriculum design, educational environment etc.
(Educational Ergonomics: Educational design and educational performance, Thomas J. Smith Human factors Research).

The anthropometric database for elementary school children in TRNC contains static dimensions measured from subjects of a particular age group with minimum operational variations.

Many factors influence the anthropometric characteristics gender, race, growth rate etc. The primary scientific concern of this study is to evaluate the effects of backpack usage on the anatomical development of elementary school children in TRNC. Secondarily, this study will consider how the characteristics of the design of an educational system may influence the performance of elementary school students and establish a correlation between variables.

We will make postural analysis for elementary school children, fully supported by the report collected via a detailed questionnaire. The two main variables in this study are backpacks and back pain. The definition of backpack usage is more extensive in this research, detailing much more than just the weight of the backpack. It considers the type, the style, mode of carriage etc. Other variables to be evaluated include: design of the educational facilities, example classroom desks, distance from students seats to whiteboard, duration of recess time, curriculum structure etc.

In light of the proposed analysis, we intend to answer the question: What physical activities endangers the elementary school children the most, in the area of postural development? The school curriculum design The classroom designs The duration of their break-periods The time they spend at home watching TV, playing video and/or computer games. The weight of their backpacks and how much time they spend carrying it daily. Participants will be elementary school children between ages 5 to 11 years.

After extensive literature review, we have adapted a suitable questionnaire for this study. The first set of questions in the Questionnaire gives us information about the parents, who will be the main source of information for this survey. The next 5 questions gives us demographic information about the child. Subsequently, information is gathered about the childs activities in and out of the school environment, and then

In the coming semester(Spring 2012), we will start the application of the questionnaires. Collect all necessary information from the Ministry of Education of the TRNC that are relevant to our study. Survey the educational environment and examine all possible factors present in the selected environment that may affect the posture of these children. Make a comprehensive analysis of the data collected using statistical softwares like SPSS. The educational environment set to be selected for the study is the Girne American College Elementary school section.