Plyometrics for Strength and Function After Pediatric Burns

NCT07590557 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-RHPT-017
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pediatric burn survivors may experience persistent deficits in lower-limb strength, explosive power, and functional performance after hospital discharge. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether a 12-week supervised plyometric training program improves lower-extremity muscle strength, power, and functional capacity compared with a standard exercise program in children and adolescents with severe burn injuries.

Conditions

Pediatric Burns; Burn Injury; Rehabilitation; Muscle Weakness; Functional Limitation; Post-Burn Rehabilitation

Keywords

Pediatric burns; Rehabilitation; Plyometric training; Muscle strength; Muscle power; Functional performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Lower-Limb Muscle Strength

  Quadriceps and hamstring strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. After standardized positioning, stabilization, warm-up, and familiarization, participants will perform five maximal reciprocal knee extension/flexion repetitions. The highest peak torque value (Nm) for hamstrings and quadriceps will be recorded.

  pre-intervention (Week 0)

• Lower-Limb Muscle Strength

  Quadriceps and hamstring strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. After standardized positioning, stabilization, warm-up, and familiarization, participants will perform five maximal reciprocal knee extension/flexion repetitions. The highest peak torque value (Nm) for hamstrings and quadriceps will be recorded.

  immediately post-intervention (Week 12)

Secondary Outcomes (16)

• Vertical Jump Height

  pre-intervention (Week 0)

• Vertical Jump Height

  immediately post-intervention (Week 12)

• Broad Jump Distance

  pre-intervention (Week 0)

• Broad Jump Distance

  immediately post-intervention (Week 12)

• Reactive Strength Index

  pre-intervention (Week 0)

Study Arms (2)

Plyometric Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 12-week supervised plyometric training program, twice weekly, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Sessions included dynamic warm-up, progressive plyometric exercises targeting vertical and horizontal force production, and cool-down.

Other: Plyometric Training

Standard Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received a 12-week supervised standard exercise program, twice weekly, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Sessions focused on flexibility, aerobic conditioning, mobility, and basic lower-limb strengthening.

Other: Standard Exercise Program

Interventions

Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants in the plyometric training group will receive a 12-week supervised program, with each session lasting 45 minutes and designed to improve lower-extremity explosive power and dynamic functional mobility. Sessions will include a 5-minute dynamic warm-up, 35 minutes of progressive plyometric exercises targeting vertical and horizontal force production, and a 5-minute cool-down. Training will be individually supervised with safety measures including shock-absorbing flooring, cushioned footwear, technique monitoring, and standardized rest intervals.

Also known as: Plyo-Tr group

Plyometric Training Group

Standard Exercise Program OTHER

Participants in the control group will receive a 12-week supervised program, with each session lasting 45 minutes post-discharge burn rehabilitation program focusing on mobility, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, and basic lower-limb strengthening. Sessions will include warm-up, stretching, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at 50-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, strengthening exercises, and cool-down, with progression based on participant tolerance.

Also known as: Control Intervention

Standard Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Children and adolescents aged 10-18 years at the time of enrolment.
• History of severe burn injury involving ≥30% total body surface area (TBSA), with lower-extremity involvement.
• Between 6 and 12 months post-hospital discharge.
• Ability to understand study instructions and safely perform the prescribed exercise program.

You may not qualify if:

• Pre-existing neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that may affect lower-limb function or study outcomes.
• Severe lower-limb joint contracture limiting functional movement.
• Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions or reliable participation.
• Participation in another structured exercise, rehabilitation, or physical therapy program outside the study protocol during the trial period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Qassim University: lead
• Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University

Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Rivas E, Herndon DN, Cambiaso-Daniel J, Rontoyanni VG, Porter C, Glover S, Suman OE. Quantification of an Exercise Rehabilitation Program for Severely Burned Children: The Standard of Care at Shriners Hospitals for Children(R)-Galveston. J Burn Care Res. 2018 Oct 23;39(6):889-896. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/iry001.

  PMID: 29596648 BACKGROUND

• Neriamparambil AJ, Sawhney R, Wong WL. Evidence-Based Management of Burns: A Narrative Review of Evolving Practices. Eur Burn J. 2025 Nov 10;6(4):59. doi: 10.3390/ebj6040059.

  PMID: 41283468 BACKGROUND

• Elnaggar RK, Osailan AM, Alsubaie SF, Moawd SA, Abd El-Nabie WA. Graded aerobic exercise (GAEx): An effective exercise regimen to improve cardio-respiratory fitness and physical and psychosocial functioning in children with burn sequelae of the chest. Burns. 2022 Mar;48(2):337-344. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.05.004. Epub 2021 May 13.

  PMID: 34016485 RESULT

• Knuth CM, Auger C, Jeschke MG. Burn-induced hypermetabolism and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2021 Jul 1;321(1):C58-C71. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00106.2021. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

  PMID: 33909503 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burns; Muscle Weakness

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Maged A Basha, PhD

  Qassim University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Model Details: Participants were randomized 1:1 to plyometric training or standard exercise for 12 weeks. Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 10, 2026
• First Posted: May 15, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 25, 2025
• Study Completion: March 25, 2025
• Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: 6 months after publication
• Access Criteria: Requests will be reviewed for scientific relevance, methodological quality, and approval by all co-authors. Data will be shared after approval and, if required, completion of a data-sharing agreement.

Locations

SA (1)