Combined aerobic and resistance training improves respiratory and exercise outcomes more than aerobic training in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised trial

Abstract

In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, does combined aerobic and resistance training improve respiratory function, perceived exertion and functional exercise capacity more than aerobic training only? Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis. Forty adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and formal indication for surgical correction (spinal curvature ≥ 45 deg). Both groups undertook three 60-minute training sessions per week for 12 weeks. The experimental group performed combined aerobic and resistance training and the control group performed only aerobic training. At baseline and upon completion of treatment, participants completed: a 6-minute walk test with Borg scale (0 to 10) rating of exertion, spirometry, maximal respiratory pressures and peak expiratory flow measurement. After 12 weeks of training, the experimental group improved more than the control group on the 6-minute walk test (MD 22 m, 95% CI 4 to 40), with lower perceived exertion at the end of the test (MD –1.2, 95% CI –1.9 to –0.4). The experimental group also improved more than the control group on several respiratory measures, including: FEV 1 (MD 270 ml, 95% CI 30 to 510), maximal inspiratory pressure (MD 4 cmH 2 O, 95% CI 1 to 8) and peak expiratory flow (MD 33 l/minute, 95% CI 7 to 58). In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, combined aerobic and resistance training improves functional exercise capacity and several respiratory outcomes more than a similar training regimen with aerobic training only. It is unclear whether the magnitude of the benefits is large enough to be worthwhile. NCT02413788 .