DOES EXERCISE INFLUENCE CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IN BURNS >1 YEAR AFTER INJURY?

A burn is one of the most traumatic injuries a person can sustain, and along with mental and physical scars, trigger a greater and more persistent inflammatory and metabolic response than other trauma cases, with hypermetabolic and hyperinflammation being reported >3 years post-burn. Exercise has been shown to positively influence inflammatory and metabolic function in both healthy and diseased cohorts, however little is known about the influence of exercise on chronic inflammation and metabolism in burn survivors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an exercise intervention on inflammatory and metabolic markers in patients who had sustained a burn injury >1 year ago. In this study 15 participants were randomised in a cross over design into one of two conditions, either exercise-control, or control-exercise. The exercise condition comprised of six weeks of resistance and aerobic exercise, completed remotely or supervised in a hospital gym. A comprehensive battery of clinical and physiological assessments was completed at 0, 3 and 6 weeks of each exercise and control condition. The primary outcome measure for this study was TNF-alpha and how this changed in response to the exercise condition. Secondary measures included indirect calorimetry, metabolomic and lipidomic analysis, strength and aerobic fitness testing, body composition and questionnaires related to functional status and physical activity history. It is hoped that the results from this study will contribute to the future of post-burn rehabilitation and continue to develop the understanding surrounding the chronic post-response physiological response.