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Although its efficacy is unproven, swimming has been recommended as an acceptable exercise, and possibly a potential treatment, for children and adolescents with spinal deformities.
To further investigate this issue, researchers compared the prevalence of spinal deformities in a convenience sample of 112 competitive swimmers (mean age, 12.5 years; 62 girls) and 217 adolescents from public schools (controls) in Italy. Swimmers trained for 2 to 2.5 hours at least 4 times weekly. Participants were evaluated for spinal deformities using a scoliometer and completed a questionnaire to assess lower back pain.
No differences in trunk rotation were found between boys who swam and controls. Girls who swam had a 2.5-fold elevated risk for trunk deformit…