Practice Recommendations for Resistance Exercise in the Acute Phase After Burns: State of the Science.
14 affiliations
- 1School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
- 2Fiona Wood Foundation, Murdoch, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
- 3State Adult Burn Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, South Metropolitan Health Service, Murdoch, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
- 4Burn Injury Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
- 5School of Allied Health, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
- 6Research Group MOVANT (Movement Antwerp), Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
- 7Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Health Sciences, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- 8OSCARE, (Organisation for Burns, Scar Aftercare and Research), 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
- 9Alliance of Dutch Burn Care (ADBC), Burn Center, Martini Hospital, 9728 NT Groningen, The Netherlands.
- 10Department for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9728 NT Groningen, The Netherlands.
- 11Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, 9728 NT Groningen, The Netherlands.
- 12Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
- 13Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
- 14Institute for Health Research, Burn Injury Research Node, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.
Abstract
Background
Resistance exercise is a cornerstone of rehabilitation after burn; however prescription of resistance-based exercise during acute adult burn recovery remains empiric and experience-based, varying widely between centres. To understand the contemporary evidence available to guide strength training prescription acutely after burn injury, we conducted a narrative review.Methods
PubMed, PEDro and the supplementary literature were searched for English, Dutch, French and German language human studies evaluating structured resistance training in adult burn populations. Studies eligible for inclusion were: (1) those conducted on humans (no animal or in vitro studies were included); (2) those that investigated the effects of a structured resistance exercise intervention initiated acutely after burn; and (3) those including combined aerobic exercises. The key practical and clinical considerations were timing, dose, monitoring, safety, and outcome selection.Results
After screening, a total of three full-text studies were reviewed. High-quality trials were scarce: three randomised controlled trials implemented structured resistance exercise during the inpatient phase. Study protocols, burn severity, and endpoints were heterogeneous and many functional and quality-of-life outcomes were underpowered.Discussion
There is evidence from multiple independent studies that early, supervised resistance-focused training commenced acutely post-injury is feasible and generally well tolerated, with positive signals for attenuation of muscle wasting and improvements in functional outcomes. Although the evidence base remains limited, the consistency of findings across available studies conducted in different settings and populations increases confidence in these recommendations presented herein.Conclusion
Combining available evidence and reflecting unique, burn-specific constraints, this review presents a revised framework for prescription of resistance training, emphasising individualisation and flexibility and session-by-session progression guided by clinical status and perceived exertion.
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BibTeX
@article{osborne2026practice,
title = {{Practice Recommendations for Resistance Exercise in the Acute Phase After Burns: State of the Science.}},
author = {Tyler Jerome Osborne and Samuel E Ibison and Fiona M Wood and Brad Wall and David R Schieffelers and Ulrike Van Daele and Marianne K Nieuwenhuis and Craig Porter and Dale W Edgar},
journal = {European burn journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ebj7040054},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924822},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Practice Recommendations for Resistance Exercise in the Acute Phase After Burns: State of the Science.
AU - Tyler Jerome Osborne
AU - Samuel E Ibison
AU - Fiona M Wood
AU - Brad Wall
AU - David R Schieffelers
AU - Ulrike Van Daele
AU - Marianne K Nieuwenhuis
AU - Craig Porter
AU - Dale W Edgar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - European burn journal
DO - 10.3390/ebj7040054
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924822
AB - Background Resistance exercise is a cornerstone of rehabilitation after burn; however prescription of resistance-based exercise during acute adult burn recovery remains empiric and experience-based, varying widely between centres. To understand the contemporary evidence available to guide strength training prescription acutely after burn injury, we conducted a narrative review.Methods PubMed, PEDro and the supplementary literature were searched for English, Dutch, French and German language human studies evaluating structured resistance training in adult burn populations. Studies eligible for inclusion were: (1) those conducted on humans (no animal or in vitro studies were included); (2) those that investigated the effects of a structured resistance exercise intervention initiated acutely after burn; and (3) those including combined aerobic exercises. The key practical and clinical considerations were timing, dose, monitoring, safety, and outcome selection.Results After screening, a total of three full-text studies were reviewed. High-quality trials were scarce: three randomised controlled trials implemented structured resistance exercise during the inpatient phase. Study protocols, burn severity, and endpoints were heterogeneous and many functional and quality-of-life outcomes were underpowered.Discussion There is evidence from multiple independent studies that early, supervised resistance-focused training commenced acutely post-injury is feasible and generally well tolerated, with positive signals for attenuation of muscle wasting and improvements in functional outcomes. Although the evidence base remains limited, the consistency of findings across available studies conducted in different settings and populations increases confidence in these recommendations presented herein.Conclusion Combining available evidence and reflecting unique, burn-specific constraints, this review presents a revised framework for prescription of resistance training, emphasising individualisation and flexibility and session-by-session progression guided by clinical status and perceived exertion.
SN - 2673-1991
ER -