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BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise is closely associated with the vital functions of patients with scoliosis. Infrared thermography (IRT) has been increasingly applied in physiological measurements in recent years. OBJECTIVE: This observational study aimed to use IRT to examine the back body surface temperatures of patients with idiopathic scoliosis during aerobic exercise. METHODS: Forty-two participants who completed a pre-test were divided into a scoliotic group and a non-scoliotic group. Both groups completed a 30-minute cycling exercise, during which their back body temperature was measured using IRT, and the root-mean-square of the back electromyography value after 30 minutes of aerobic exercise was analyzed. RESULTS: The back body temperature decreased significantly after 30 minutes of exercise in the non-scoliotic group. In contrast, the back body temperature (at the trapezius and quadratus lumborum muscles) was asymmetric or increased after exercise in the scoliotic group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that when patients with scoliosis exercise, their back body temperature should be assessed thoroughly to prevent adverse physiological reactions potentially caused by back body temperature imbalances as well as the potential health problems caused by poor heat dissipation. In addition, such observations can be useful in the early screening of scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]