Background and purpose: There have been a number of surveys of adolescents that have considered the incidence of back pain and its relation to backpack use and carry load. However, none have considered whether the problem can be directly related to school term and associated extra-curricular activities. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of back pain in twelve year old males at the end of summer term with that over the latter part of the summer vacation.

Design: A questionnaire based study, pre- and post summer vacation in a local Welsh language School.

Method: A cohort of 56 male school children in year 7 (12yr old) was given a structure questionnaire before and after their summer vacation. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about back pain and contributory factors, with particular reference to load carried (backpacks, carrying style, load and duration) and additional physical activities including extra-curricular (types, standard and duration).

Results: A significant decline in the incidence of adolescent back pain was found over the summer vacation: 55% (29/53) pre to 40% (16/40) during the vacation (p = 0.016). Back pain did not appear to be affected by the use of backpacks or activities that required sitting down, such as watching television or play computer games.

Conclusion: A decrease in back pain prevalence occurs over the summer vacation. However, extra-curricular pastimes with relative inactivity (computer games, TV) or backpack use do not appear to be significant factors.