Effects of cessation of a structured and supervised exercise conditioning program on lean mass and muscle strength in severely burned children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the benefits of exercise by burned children are maintained 3 months after the exercise program is concluded.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled prospective study.


METHODS
Pediatric burn hospital.


METHODS
Twenty severely burned children with a 40% or greater total body surface area burn, with main outcome measures completed before exercise training, immediately after 12 weeks of exercise training (intervention), and 12 weeks after training ended.


METHODS
Randomization into a 12-week standard rehabilitation program at home (n=9) or a 12-week standard hospital rehabilitation program supplemented with an exercise-training program beginning 6 months after burn injury (n=11).


METHODS
Assessment of lean body mass (LBM) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and of leg isokinetic muscle strength at a speed of 150 degrees /s were done before, after the 12-week rehabilitation and exercise training program, and 3 months after the exercise program was completed (12mo postburn). The effects of exercise on the dependent variables were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. If we found a significant overall effect of time and/or intervention, we did a post hoc test for multiple comparison (Holm-Sidak). Results are expressed as mean +/- standard error.


RESULTS
The mean percentage increase in LBM and muscle strength was significantly greater in the exercise group (6.4%+/-1.9%, 40.7%+/-8.6%, respectively) than in the no-exercise group (1.9%+/-2.6% vs 3.4%+/-4.5%, respectively). Three months after cessation of the exercise program, LBM remained relatively unchanged in the no-exercise group (3.5%+/-1.8%). In contrast, LBM in the exercise group increased significantly (10.7%+/-4.8%, P=.03). In addition, muscle strength further increased by 17.9%+/-10.1% in the exercise group versus 7.2%+/-3.4% in the no-exercise group, although neither percentage increase was significant (P=.08 for exercise vs P=.61 for no exercise). Absolute values in LBM and muscle strength for both groups at 12 months postburn continued to be below historical or concurrent age-matched, nonburned children.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in an exercise program resulted in a greater improvement in LBM and muscle strength in the exercise group than in the no-exercise group. Three months after the exercise training ended, there were persistent mild-to-moderate increases in LBM and muscle strength. Absolute levels continued to be below previously reported nonburned, age-matched values, however, which underscores the need for continued exercise to improve LBM and muscle strength in severely burned children.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. oesuman@utmb.edu
Oscar E
OE
Suman
David N
DN
Herndon
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness