Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of isokinetic training program on muscle strength, muscle size and gait parameters after healed pediatric burn.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Subjects: Thirty three pediatric burned patients with circumferential lower extremity burn with total body surface area (TBSA) ranging from 36 to 45%, and ages from 10 to 15 years participated in the study and were randomized into isokinetic group and a control group. Non-burned healthy pediatric subjects were assessed similarly to burned subjects and served as matched healthy controls.
Methods: Patients in the isokinetic group (n = 16) participated in the isokinetic trainingprogram for 12 weeks for quadriceps dominant limb, 3 times per week, at angular velocity 150 degrees/s, concentric mode of contraction, time rest between each set for 3 min, 3 sets/day and control group (n = 17) participated in home based physical therapy exercise program withoutisokinetic.
Main measures: Assessment of quadriceps strength by isokinetic dynamometer, quadriceps size and gait parameters were performed at baseline and at the end of the training period for both groups.
Results: Patients in isokinetic group showed a significant improvement in quadriceps strength, quadriceps size and gait parameters as compared with those in the control group. Quadriceps strength and percentage of improvement was 79.25 +/- 0.93 Nm (68.40%) for isokinetic group and 51.88 +/- 1.31 Nm (9.84%) for the control group. Quadriceps size and percentage of improvement was 31.50 +/- 0.89 cm (7.47%) for isokinetic group and 29.26 +/- 1.02 cm (1.02%) for the control group. Stride length, step length, velocity and cadence and percentage of improvement for isokinetic group was 135.50 +/- 2.82 (53.97%), 63.25 +/- 2.97 (63.77%), 135.94 +/- 1.65 (81.42%), 137.63 +/- 1.36 (66.96%) and for the control group was 94.00 +/- 2.69 (6.68%), 43.76 +/- 1.34 (15.15%), 81.11 +/- 1.91 (8.6%), 90.35 +/- 1.32 (9.01%) respectively.
Conclusions: Participation in the isokinetic training program resulted in a greater improvement in quadriceps muscle strength, size and gait parameters in pediatric burn. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.