Abstract
Introduction. As a result of subjective functional assessment, disturbances in the symmetry of body weight distribution on the support plane are commonly observed in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between the direction of the primary curvature and the body weight distribution on the ground in children with idiopathic scoliosis.
Method. Two groups (the study group and the control group) of children aged 7–11 were included in the study. The study group consisted of 96 children rehabilitated due to scoliosis in rehabilitation centres. The control group included children of the corresponding age, height and weight in comparison to the study group. The main element of the study involved measurements of the percentage body weight distribution on the support plane between the “convex” and “concave” side of the body while maintaining a standing position on both legs.
Results. Based on the value of the symmetry index and the direction of the primary curvature, the following subgroups were distinguished among the children with scoliosis: children with symmetrical body weight distribution on the support plane (21%); children with asymmetric body weight distribution on the support plane overloading the convex side (51%) and children overloading the concave side (28%).
Conclusion. The occurrence of symmetry disorders in the body weight distribution on the support plane in children with idiopathic scoliosis requires taking these features into account in the early stage of rehabilitation of these children.

Key words:
scoliosis, compensating postural patterns, distribution of body mass on the surface