Resistance, Plyometric, and Combined Exercise Training in Children With Severe Burns

NCT07843355 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/005692
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Children who experience severe burns may continue to have reduced muscle strength, power, balance, and physical function after their wounds have healed. Exercise is an important part of burn rehabilitation, but it is unclear which type of training provides the greatest improvement. This randomized study compared three exercise programs in children aged 10 to 17 years with burns affecting more than 30% of their total body surface area. Participants were assigned to traditional resistance training, plyometric training, or a program combining both approaches. Each group completed supervised exercise sessions three times per week for 8 weeks. Muscle strength, upper- and lower-body power, dynamic balance, and upper-limb stability were measured before and after the training period. The study aimed to determine which exercise approach was most effective for improving neuromuscular and functional performance during long-term pediatric burn rehabilitation.

Conditions

Burns; Pediatric Burns; Burn Injury

Keywords

Resistance Training; Plyometric Training; Muscle Strength; Neuromuscular Performance; Dynamic Balance; Physical Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (18)

• Overhead Medicine Ball Throw

  Upper-body explosive power was assessed using overhead medicine ball throw. Three maximal attempts were performed with 60 seconds of rest between attempts. The longest valid throw was retained. Distance was measured in centimeters, with a greater distance indicating better performance.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Overhead Medicine Ball Throw

  Upper-body explosive power was assessed using overhead medicine ball throw. Three maximal attempts were performed with 60 seconds of rest between attempts. The longest valid throw was retained. Distance was measured in centimeters, with a greater distance indicating better performance.

  After Week 8

• Standing Long Jump Distance

  Horizontal lower-body explosive power was evaluated using a two-legged standing long jump. Three maximal attempts were completed, and the longest valid jump was retained. Distance was reported in centimeters, with a greater distance indicating better performance.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Standing Long Jump Distance

  Horizontal lower-body explosive power was evaluated using a two-legged standing long jump. Three maximal attempts were completed, and the longest valid jump was retained. Distance was reported in centimeters, with a greater distance indicating better performance.

  After Week 8

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Vertical lower-body explosive power was evaluated using a countermovement jump. Three valid attempts were completed, and the greatest jump height was retained. Height was reported in centimeters, with a greater height indicating better performance.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Vertical lower-body explosive power was evaluated using a countermovement jump. Three valid attempts were completed, and the greatest jump height was retained. Height was reported in centimeters, with a greater height indicating better performance.

  After Week 8

• Knee Flexor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the knee flexors in the dominant limb was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Knee Flexor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the knee flexors in the dominant limb was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  After Week 8

• Knee Extensor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Knee Extensor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  After Week 8

• Elbow Flexor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the elbow flexors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Elbow Flexor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the elbow flexors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  After Week 8

• Elbow Extensor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the elbow extensors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result reported in kilograms.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Elbow Extensor Isometric Strength

  Maximal isometric strength of the elbow extensors was measured with a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The result reported in kilograms.

  After Week 8

• Hand Grip Strength

  Maximal grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed with a calibrated hydraulic hand dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Hand Grip Strength

  Maximal grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed with a calibrated hydraulic hand dynamometer. The result was reported in kilograms.

  After Week 8

• Trunk Lift Test

  Trunk-extension performance was assessed using the Trunk Lift Test. Two maximal attempts were completed, and the greater valid distance was retained.

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Trunk Lift Test

  Trunk-extension performance was assessed using the Trunk Lift Test. Two maximal attempts were completed, and the greater valid distance was retained.

  After Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Modified Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Modified Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test

  After Week 8

• Y-Balance Test

  Week 0 before the intervention

• Y-Balance Test

  After Week 8

Study Arms (3)

Traditional Resistance Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a supervised traditional resistance-training program three times per week on nonconsecutive days for 8 weeks.

Other: Traditional Resistance Training

Plyometric Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a supervised plyometric-training program three times per week on nonconsecutive days for 8 weeks.

Other: Plyometric Training

Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a supervised program combining traditional resistance and plyometric exercises three times per week on nonconsecutive days for 8 weeks.

Other: Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training

Interventions

Traditional Resistance Training OTHER

Participants performed eight progressive resistance exercises targeting the upper and lower body. Sessions were held three times weekly for 8 weeks. Sessions were supervised by physical therapists and included a 10-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.

Also known as: Strength Training

Traditional Resistance Training

Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants performed progressive upper- and lower-body plyometric exercises three times weekly for 8 weeks. Physical therapists supervised all sessions and emphasized safe takeoff and landing technique. Each session included a 10-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.

Also known as: Power Training

Plyometric Training

Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants performed traditional resistance exercises and plyometric exercises per session, three times weekly for 8 weeks. All sessions were supervised by physical therapists and included a 10-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.

Also known as: Combined Strength and Power Training

Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 10 to 17 years.
• History of a major thermal burn affecting more than 30% of total body surface area.
• Time since burn injury between 0.1 and 2 years.

You may not qualify if:

• A pre-existing or acquired neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, or cognitive condition that could interfere with physical performance or affect interpretation of the study outcomes.
• Reconstructive surgery performed during the 6 months before the pre-intervention assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

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

Study Sites (1)

Shorook Physical Therapy Centers

Cairo, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Yang S, Qiu L, Xiao J, Luo C. The effects of resistance training on children with burns: a meta-analysis. Pediatr Surg Int. 2021 Oct;37(10):1323-1332. doi: 10.1007/s00383-021-04947-6. Epub 2021 Jul 30.

  PMID: 34331107 BACKGROUND

• Cambiaso-Daniel J, Rivas E, Carson JS, Hundeshagen G, Nunez Lopez O, Glover SQ, Herndon DN, Suman OE. Cardiorespiratory Capacity and Strength Remain Attenuated in Children with Severe Burn Injuries at Over 3 Years Postburn. J Pediatr. 2018 Jan;192:152-158. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.09.015.

  PMID: 29246338 BACKGROUND

• Hardee JP, Porter C, Sidossis LS, Borsheim E, Carson JA, Herndon DN, Suman OE. Early rehabilitative exercise training in the recovery from pediatric burn. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014 Sep;46(9):1710-6. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000296.

  PMID: 24824900 BACKGROUND

• Palackic A, Suman OE, Porter C, Murton AJ, Crandall CG, Rivas E. Rehabilitative Exercise Training for Burn Injury. Sports Med. 2021 Dec;51(12):2469-2482. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01528-4. Epub 2021 Aug 2.

  PMID: 34339042 RESULT

• Basha MA, Aboelnour NH, Aly SM, Kamel FAH. Impact of Kinect-based virtual reality training on physical fitness and quality of life in severely burned children: A monocentric randomized controlled trial. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2022 Jan;65(1):101471. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2020.101471. Epub 2021 Nov 23.

  PMID: 33316436 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burns

Interventions

Resistance Training; Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

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

• Ragab K Elnaggar, PhD

  Cairo 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 assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to three parallel exercise-training groups: traditional resistance training, plyometric training, or combined resistance and plyometric training.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2026
• First Posted: September 28, 2026
• Study Start: February 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 10, 2026
• Study Completion: August 28, 2026
• Last Updated: September 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: 6 months after publication
• Access Criteria: relevance to the topic of the study and approval of all co-authors within 1month of receiving the request.

Locations

EG (1)