Abstract:
Trunk rotational strength asymmetry has been suggested in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). This finding has yet to be confirmed against a group of healthy adolescents. This study compares the isometric trunk rotational strength, in the neutral position, of a group of healthy adolescent females, n=10, mean age 14.3 years (± 2.4) with that of a group of female
adolescents with IS, n=13 mean age 13.4 (± 1.4) years, mean Cobb 28° (±8°, range 19°-41°). Each participant’s isometric
trunk rotational strength was tested using a reliable procedure. Torque values were normalized to lean body weight (LBW).
AIS individuals’ torque values were also normalized to their primary curve direction so that rotational directions were in the
direction of the convexity or concavity of the primary curve. The healthy group of adolescents had an average normalized
torque of 0.89 Nm/Kg (±0.29, range 0.41-1.41) to the right and 0.87 Nm/Kg (±.23, range 0.56-1.27) to the left, not significant (p<0.46). The scoliosis group had an average of 0.92 Nm/Kg (±.2, range 0.33-1.25) towards the convexity of the curve and 0.84 Nm/Kg (±.2, range 0.35-1.03) towards the concavity, not significant (p<0.15). There were also no differences between the healthy group and scoliosis group. These results may need to be further confirmed in a larger sample size.
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