The effect of a core exercise program on Cobb angle and back muscle activity in male students with functional scoliosis: a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of core strengthening exercises on Cobb angle and muscle activity in male college students with functional scoliosis.


METHODS
Static and dynamic back muscle activity were evaluated via surface electromyography (sEMG). A core exercise protocol comprising 18 exercises was performed three times/week for 10 weeks. Patients were randomly allocated to either a home- or community-based exercise programme. Cervical thoracolumbar scans and sEMG were performed after 10 weeks.


RESULTS
A total of 87 students underwent cervical thoracolumbar scans. Of these, 53 were abnormal and were randomised between the home-based (n = 25) or community-based (n = 28) groups. After the 10-week exercise programme, Cobb angles were significantly lower and back muscle strength was significantly improved than baseline in both groups, but there were no statistically significant between group differences.


CONCLUSIONS
A 10-week core strengthening exercise programme decreases Cobb angle and improves back muscle strength in patients with functional scoliosis.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
Yun Hee
YH
Park
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea jijibaeheiwon@hanmail.net.
Young Sook
YS
Park
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yong Taek
YT
Lee
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gyeongsang National University Graduate School of Medicine, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Hee Suk
HS
Shin
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gyeongsang National University Graduate School of Medicine, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Min-Kyun
MK
Oh
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Korea Worker's Compensation & Welfare Service Incheon Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Jiyeon
J
Hong
Department of Physical Education, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
Kyoung Yul
KY
Lee
D064131:Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003710:Demography; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
Cobb angle; Scoliosis; cervical thoracolumbar scans; college students; core exercise; surface electromyography