Abstract
Objective
To investigate the associations between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and
physical activity (PA).
Data Sources
MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL electronic databases
were searched from inception to August 2022/plus citation tracking.
Study Selection
Observational studies of participants with radiographically confirmed AIS with ≥10°
lateral spinal curvature (Cobb method) and comparator groups without AIS that measured
PA were selected by 2 reviewers.
Data Extraction
Data were extracted independently and cross-checked by 2 reviewers. Risk of bias was
evaluated using Newcastle Ottawa Scales and overall confidence in the evidence using
the GRADE approach.
Data Synthesis
Sixteen studies with 9627 participants (9162, 95% women) were included. A history
of vigorous PA significantly reduced the odds of being newly diagnosed with AIS by
24% (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.89) (high certainty).
Moderate PA reduced odds by 13% (moderate certainty) and light PA increased odds by
9% (low certainty), but neither analysis was statistically significant. Ballet or
gymnastics (OR 1.47, 95% CI 3.08 (1.90, 5.00) were the only individual sports significantly
associated with AIS diagnosis (moderate certainty). Case-control studies of people
with and without AIS provided greater evidence that having AIS reduces vigorous PA
and sports participation, and less evidence light PA and walking are affected.
Conclusion
Adolescents who participate in more vigorous PA are less likely to be diagnosed with
AIS. Ballet and gymnastics are associated with AIS diagnosis, but the direction of
this association is uncertain. People with AIS are likely to do less vigorous physical
and sporting activity compared with those without AIS, which could negatively affect
health and quality of life. Further research is warranted into the inter-relations
between PA and AIS, studies need to be of sufficient size, include men, and evaluate
vigorous including higher-impact PA compared with moderate or light PA.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
AIS (adolescent idiopathic scoliosis), BMD (bone mineral density), CI (confidence interval), LPA (light physical activity), MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), NOS (Newcastle Ottawa Scale), OR (odds ratio), PA (physical activity), VPA (vigorous physical activity)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 08, 2023
Accepted:
January 23,
2023
Received in revised form:
December 4,
2022
Received:
September 21,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofFootnotes
Disclosures: None.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
