The effect of aerobic training in girls with idiopathic scoliosis

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 1999-02, Vol.9 (1), p.36-40
• Main Authors: Athanasopoulos, S., Paxinos, T., Tsafantakis, E., Zachariou, K., Chatziconstantinou, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; aerobic capacity; aerobic training; Biological and medical sciences; brace; Child; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Diseases of the spine; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; respiratory function; Respiratory Mechanics; scoliosis; Scoliosis - physiopathology; Scoliosis - rehabilitation
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.1999.tb00204.x

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training in girls with idiopathic scoliosis, in selective respiratory parameters (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/VC% FEV1/FVC) as well as the ability to perform aerobic work (PWC170). The training group consisted of 20 young girls with a mean age of 13.51±0.16 years. They wore a Boston‐type brace for a mean period of 0.30±0.04 years and suffered from a scoliotic curve (27.4±1.9°). They followed a two‐month training program on the cycloergometer. Each training session lasted 30 min and was performed four times a week. The control group consisted of 20 girls with a mean age of 13.61±0.18 years and they wore the same type of brace for a mean period of 0.24±0.04 years. They also suffered from a scoliosis (29.5±1.8°). The results of the study revealed that aerobic training sustained (VC, FEV1, FEV1/VC) or improved significantly (FVC, FEV1/FVC) the parameters of pulmonary function, while the respective parameters (VC, FVC) for the control group were reduced during the two‐month period. The ability to perform aerobic work increased 48.1% (P