fH L in The Oakville Beaver, F rida y A u g u s t 22, 2003 - 3 3 Physiotherapists claim backpacks shouldn't be a pain! "Over the next few months, thousands of Canadian school children will feel the familiar dis comfort that comes with opening books, dusting off binders and resurrecting backpacks relegated months ago to the back of the closet. Invariably the pain goes away after a few good test scores but for some it can signal a growing and avoidable prob lem," says the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Children and teenagers are particularly vulnera ble to injury. They are growing and developing, and harmful or unnecessary strain on their bodies can affect their health, long term. "Once thought to be uncommon the opposite is actually true!" says Tom Carter, Clinic Manager at the CB1 Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre in Woodbridge, Ontario, "Back pain in children and adolescents is very common and backpacks that become loaded with heavy books are often blamed." Students can reduce strain by using and fitting a backpack that works for them rather than against them. CPA recommends the selection and use of backpacks with the following features: Padded back - to reduce pressure and prevent pack's contents from digging into the back. Padded, contoured, shoulder and chest straps - to reduce pressure and balance the weight. Backpacks should have thickly padded (2 inches wide), adjustable shoulder straps and an extra hip strap. Shoulder straps should be adjusted so the bottom of the pack sits two inches above the waist; Waist belt or hip strap - to distribute some of the load to the pelvis. The waist belt sends the weight o f the pack down through the legs, which are more used to carrying weight. Compression straps - on the sides or bottom of the backpack to help compress contents of the backpack and stabilize the articles. Reflective material - for visibility to drivers at night. Worn correctly and not overloaded, a backpack is supported by some of the strongest muscles in the body: the back and abdominal muscles. These muscle groups work together to stabilize the trunk and hold the body in proper balance and postural alignment. CPA recommends the following tips for safe backpack use: Use of both shoulder straps to help distribute the weight of the pack evenly and to promote a more normal posture. Using only one strap loads the weight of the bag over one shoulder, resulting in back pain and strain to the neck and shoulders. Leaning forward may affect the natural curve in the low back, and increase the curve of the upper back and shoulders. The best posture is to stand tall with head and neck aligned with the shoulders. The backpack shouldn't be too heavy. When students are choosing a backpack, they should look for one made of lightweight materials, like canvas, to reduce the weight. A full backpack should never weigh more than 15 per cent of the carriers' body weight. For example, someone weighing 115 lbs. (52 kg) should not carry more than 17 lbs. (7.8 kg), with the heaviest items stored closest to the back. The backpack should be fit to the person, not the person to the backpack. When choosing a back pack, it should not be oversized `to carry more'. The shoulder straps should fit comfortably and not dig in to the shoulders, allowing the arms to move freely; the bottom of the pack should rest in the contour of the lower back; and the pack should "sit" evenly in the middle of the back, not "sag down" toward the buttocks. c fte k . 111 Mom, I want to design video games" of the need for our specialized game learning any language. Its easier when you Y o u r child is 9 to 17 years old, good at math (maybe without trying) & is a `dedicated' video gamer. 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FALL - Learn to Skate Programs CanSkate Sept. 5 2003 - Oct. 10, 2003 Fridays 6:00 - 6:50 pm River Oaks, Rink A · $75 plus $15 Skate Canada membership/insurance fee · Suitable for skaters 5-10 years old or those who have completed 1 year of PreSchool CanSkate CanSkate/PreJunior Sept. 5 2003 - Oct. 10, 2003 Fridays 7:00 - 7:50 pm River Oaks, Rink A · $75 plus $15 Skate Canada membership/insurance fee · This combined CanSkate/PreJuniof session is suitable for skaters aged 5-10 years old or those who have completed 1 year of PreSchool CanSkate. · Also includes skaters who have completed CanSkate and are working on our Preiunior program C u b s 8 - 1 0 y e a rs , a n d S c o u ts 1 1 - 1 4 y e a rs . S o m e a ls o h a v e V e n tu r e r s 1 4 - 1 7 y e a rs a n d R o v e r s 1 8 - 2 6 y e a rs . Area Served Group Name SCOUTS CANADA id e a l f o r h ig h s c h and o o l Registration y o u t h n e e d Location in g c o m m u n it y s e r v ic e West of 12 Mile Creek to Burloak Drive 1st Bronte Sept. 2 & 3,7-9 p.m. - Walton Memorial U.C. 1st Glen Abbey QEW to Upper Middle, 16 Mile Creek to 3rd Line Please call - 905-847-5957 or 905-825-8292 2nd Glen Abbey Glen Abbey west of 3rd Line. South of QEW between 16 Mile Creek & Chartwell Rd. 2nd Oakville Sept. 17,7-8:30 p.m. at St. John's United Church 8th Oakville Upper Middle to Oundas, 16 Mile Creek to 3rd Line Please call 905-825-3895 or 905-469-4815 Between Bronte Rd. and Third Line 9th Oakville Sept. 8 ,7 p.m. at Hopedale Presbyterian Church 11th Oakville N. of QEW between Trafalgar Rd. and 9th Line Sept. 17,6:30-9 p.m. at Iroquois Ridge H.S. River Oaks/Oak Park. Sept. 18,7 p.m. at River Oaks School 19th Oakville L.D.S. Chapel, north Oakville. Sept. 11,7 p.m. 20th Oakville 1st Trafalgar QEW to Upper Middle Rd. between Trafalgar Rd. & 6th Line, For information please contact the Council Office listed below 3rd Trafalgar South of Upper Middle Rd. and West of 6th Line Sept. 10,7-8 p.m. at Sunningdale School 4th Trafalgar E. Oakville, Wedgewood Rd. to Winston Churchill Blvd., & Clearview Sept. 10 &11, 7-9 p.m. at Maple Grove United Church 7th Trafalgar Kerr St. to 4th Line/Speers Rd. south of Appleby College area. Sept. 10,6:30-9 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church 9th Trafalgar South of Speers Rd., between 3rd and 4th Lines & Rebecca Street to Speers Road, west of 3rd Line Sept. 8 ,7 p.m. at Hopedale Presbyterian Church H e lp in g o u r y o u th to b e co m e b e tte r c itiz e n s ! V o lu n te e r o p p o r tu n itie s a re a v a ila b le a n d tr a in in g is p r o v id e d A Scouts Canada Registration Schedule S c o u tin g G r o u p s in O a k v ille h a v e B e a v e rs 5 - 7 y e a rs . CanPowerSkate A Great Tune-up for Winter Sept. 5 2003 - Oct. 10, 2003 Fridays 5:00 - 5:50 pm River Oaks,`Rink A · S85 plus SI 5 Skate Canada If you require further clarification, please call the local Scouts Canada office at 9 0 5 -8 2 8 -7 7 8 1 - e x t. 21 WWW,A & P P M Reduce Your Risk For Serious Health Problems w ith Sanctioned by membership/insurance fee · Suitable for skaters who are interested in improving their hockey skating skills fIV f ns Eight Weeks to WellnessTM At e a c h weekly m eetin g , a h e a lth p ro fessio n al will in tro d u c e you to a d iffe re n t asp e ct o f h e a lth . In eigh t w eeks y ou 'll le a rn how to: BERTIN STABLES 3 indoor riding arenas. Classes available for children, teenagers and adults all year round. · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 o r $35/Lesson · Friday Hoof-Pick Club 6pm-8:30pm · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) Canada's Largest E nglish Riding School 3 4 4 5D u n d o sW . (H w y . *5). 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