Exercise efficiency of girls with idiopathic scoliosis based on the ventilatory anaerobic threshold

The aim of the study was to estimate the exercise efficiency in the group of girls with idiopathic scoliosis based on the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT). Material and method. The investigation comprised 58 girls with idiopathic scoliosis, aged 10–6 years; 32 girls (55.20/0) with double major scoliosis and 26 girls (44.8%) with single scoliosis. The girls were conservatively treated using Dobosiewicz method. The control group consisted of 3 1 healthy girls aged 10-1 6 years. The exercise test was performed using cycle ergometer. During the exercise the gas exchange parameters were recorded (minute expiratory ventilation, minute oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production). On the basis of recorded parameters VAT has been computed, using V-slope method. Results. The following VAT values were obtained in the group with scoliosis: 20.7+3.05 ml 02/min/kg b.m.; in control group: 21.9+3.50 ml 02/min/kg b.m. The differences between girls with idiopathic scoliosis and control group were not statistically significant. Conclusions. I. The exercise efficiency of girls with idiopathic scoliosis conservatively treated using Dobosiewicz method is normal. 2. Such high level of the exercise efficiency of the studied group probably was due to intensive 3-D respiratory exercises of these girls.