Effects of Balance, Plyometric, and Combined Plyometric-Balance Training in Pediatric Burn Survivors

Effects of Balance, Plyometric, and Combined Plyometric-Balance Training on Balance and Physical Performance in Pediatric Burn Survivors During Long-Term Rehabilitation

Children who sustain burn injuries often develop long-term physical and psychological complications that limit their ability to move, exercise, and participate in daily activities. These problems commonly include reduced balance, muscle weakness, fatigue, and impaired physical performance, which may persist for several years after injury and require prolonged rehabilitation.

This study aims to investigate the effects of three different exercise-based rehabilitation programs-balance training, plyometric (jump-based) training, and a combined balance and plyometric training program-on balance and physical performance in children recovering from burn injuries. A total of 84 children aged 10 to 17 years with healed lower-limb burns will be randomly assigned to one of the three training groups. Each group will participate in supervised exercise sessions three times per week for eight weeks.

Balance, muscle strength, power, and agility will be assessed before and after the training period using standardized physical performance tests. The findings of this study are expected to help identify the most effective rehabilitation approach for improving functional abilities and physical performance in pediatric burn survivors during long-term recovery.

Burn injuries in children are frequently associated with long-lasting impairments in balance, muscle strength, coordination, and physical performance. These limitations may persist long after wound healing due to sensory disturbances, muscle wasting, fatigue, prolonged inactivity, and reduced physical activity levels. Such functional deficits can restrict participation in daily activities and negatively influence long-term recovery, emphasizing the need for effective rehabilitation strategies.

This randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial is designed to evaluate and compare the effects of three different rehabilitation training programs on balance and physical performance in pediatric burn survivors. Eighty-four children aged between 10 and 17 years with healed burn injuries affecting more than 30% of total body surface area and involving the lower extremities will be recruited. All participants will be at least one year post-injury and medically stable.

Following baseline assessments, participants will be randomly allocated to one of three intervention groups: balance training, plyometric training, or combined plyometric and balance training. Each group will undergo supervised exercise sessions three times per week for a total duration of eight weeks. All training sessions will begin with a standardized warm-up to ensure consistency across groups.

Outcome assessments will be conducted before and after the training period to evaluate changes in static and dynamic balance, lower-limb muscle strength, muscular power, and agility using standardized and validated physical performance tests.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 10 to 17 years.
• History of burn injury involving more than 30% of total body surface area (TBSA).
• Burn injury involving the lower extremities.
• At least one year has elapsed since the burn injury.
• Completion of acute medical management and participation in outpatient rehabilitation programs.
• Medically stable and able to participate in supervised exercise training.
• Written informed consent provided by parents or legal guardians.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of unhealed or open burn wounds.
• Any neurological disorder, unrelated to burn injury.
• Any musculoskeletal disorder, unrelated to burn injury.
• Any orthopedic disorder that may interfere with exercise participation or outcome assessment.