title: Swimming and spinal deformities: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the prevalence of spinal deformities and low back pain (LBP) in adolescent competitive swimmers and normal controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study with convenience sample of 112 adolescent competitive swimmers (62 females) compared with 217 students (106 females) of the same age (12.5 years). We designed a questionnaire to collect data on LBP and measured the angle of trunk rotation with a Bunnell scoliometer to screen for scoliosis, along with the plumbline distances for kyphosis and lordosis. Clinical cutoffs defined in the literature for detection of spinal deformities were applied. Analyses were performed using the t test and χ(2) test, and ORs and 95% CIs were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Swimming was found to increase the risk of trunk asymmetries (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.08-3.20). Swimming also increased the risk of hyperkyphosis (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.35-3.77) and hyperlordosis (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.06-4.73), and increased LBP in females by 2.1-fold (95% CI, 1.08-4.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Swimming is associated with an increased risk of trunk asymmetries and hyperkyphosis. Although swimming has been considered a complete sport and a treatment option for scoliosis, our data contradict that approach, and also show a higher prevalence of LBP in females.
authors.affiliation: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy. Electronic address: fabio.zaina@isico.it.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaina
authors.affiliation: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donzelli
authors.affiliation: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lusini
authors.affiliation: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minnella
authors.affiliation: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negrini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013550:Swimming / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*