Correlations between electromyographic amplitude of the erector spinae and the location, direction and number of spinal curvatures in young school children

Introduction
The location, direction and number of spinal curvatures are typical features characterising scoliosis. Electromyographic testing of the erector spinae is used to observe the development of scoliosis. Aim of the research: To analyse the relationship between the features of scoliosis in the form of location, direction and number of spinal curvatures and surface electromyography amplitude of the erector spinae in young school children.

Material and methods
The study included 103 (41%) children with scoliosis, 141 (56.17%) children with scoliotic posture and 7 (3.0%) children with correct posture. Body posture and the spine were assessed using the surface topography method. Electromyographic amplitude of the erector spinae was examined with the Noraxon TeleMyo DTS apparatus.

Results and conclusions
In the group of children with scoliosis, the most common was curvature in the thoracic segment. Girls experienced left-sided curvature slightly more often, the same in the scoliosis group, and in boys, right-sided curvature prevailed. Single-curvatures were the most common. The greatest generalised amplitude of the erector spinae SEMG occurred in scoliosis in both girls and boys. A significant relationship between the location, direction and number of spinal curvatures and SEMG amplitude of the erector spinae has been demonstrated. The increase in erector spinae activity correlates with the progression of scoliosis.