Article

Idiopathic scoliosis causes respiratory muscles weakness and reduced
exercise capacity. However, the mechanism of these symptoms is still unknown. The
main objective of this study was to determine the intensity of respiratory muscle
activity and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis in
comparison with healthy people. SUBJECTS: In this study, 20 female patients with
adult idiopathic scoliosis (10 mild and 10 moderate) as well as 10 healthy
matched individuals with characteristics of the patients were selected. METHODS:
The subjects were fatigued through a maximal incremental cycle ergometry
protocol. Meanwhile, the electromyography values of the external intercostal
muscles and diaphragm were recorded bilaterally, and fatigue duration was
determined. RESULTS: The root mean square of concave external intercostal muscles
and concave diaphragm in patients with idiopathic scoliosis was significantly
reduced during the fatiguing exercise protocol compared with healthy individuals.
The median frequencies of the two sides differed significantly and were lower in
patients with moderate scoliosis than healthy subjects. Fatigue duration
(minutes) also was lower in patients with moderate scoliosis than healthy
subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Scoliosis causes respiratory muscle weakness and reduced
fatigue duration in response to mild physical activity compared with healthy
subjects and these dysfunctions appear to be related to the severity of scoliosis
curvature (moderate > mild).

Langue : ANGLAIS