Abstract
[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the impact of aerobic exercise on aerobic
capacity, balance, and treadmill time in patients with thermal burn injury. [Subjects and
Methods] Burned adult patients, aged 20–40 years (n=30), from both sexes, with second
degree thermal burn injuries covering 20–40% of the total body surface area (TBSA), were
enrolled in this trial for 3 months. Patients were randomly divided into; group A (n=15),
which performed an aerobic exercise program 3 days/week for 60 min and participated in a
traditional physical therapy program, and group B (n=15), which only participated in a
traditional exercise program 3 days/week. Maximal aerobic capacity, treadmill time, and
Berg balance scale were measured before and after the study. [Results] In both groups, the
results revealed significant improvements after treatment in all measurements; however,
the improvement in group A was superior to that in group B. [Conclusion] The results
provide evidence that aerobic exercises for adults with healed burn injuries improve
aerobic physical fitness and balance.