The Role of Exercise in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Severe Burns

In Brief Severe burn trauma results in persistent skeletal muscle catabolism and prolonged immobilization. We hypothesize that structured rehabilitative exercise is a safe and efficacious strategy to restore lean body mass and physical function in burn victims. Here, we review the evidence for the utility of rehabilitative exercise training in restoring physiological function in burn survivors. Burn trauma affects almost every physiological system. Rehabilitative exercise provides a means of restoring functional capacity in burn victims.