Background: There has been a growing interest in studies examining the importance of the aquatic environment in non-invasive treatment of scoliosis. The water environment is an important element in the correction of body posture abnormalities. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of corrective exercises in a water environment on the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine and on the functional status of the locomotor system of children with Io scoliosis.
Material and methods: The study involved a group of 94 children aged 8-13 years with Cobb Io scoliosis. Computer-aided photogrammetry was used to analyse the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine. The functional evaluation of the children's musculoskeletal system involved several functional tests: the Dega wall test, Thomas test, Lasegue test, and Kraus-Weber test. The tests were carried out twice: before a 6-month programme of corrective exercises in a water environment, and immediately on completion of the rehabilitation programme. The programme included swimming and corrective exercises in water.
Results: A statistical analysis of the dimensions of the anterio-posterior curves of the spine revealed a significant increase in the total length of the spine and the length of thoracic kyphosis. Besides, the bending angle of the trunk, the angle of thoracic kyphosis and the angle of lumbar lordosis were reduced. The analysis also showed an increase in the bending angle of the upper spine. Shoulder mobility also increased significantly following the programme of corrective aquatic exercises.
Conclusions: 1. The programme of corrective exercises had an influence on the length and angle of thoracic kyphosis. 2. The muscle strength of the lower part of the erector spinae also increased, as did shoulder mobility measured by the Dega test.