Plyometric intervention for enhancing upper extremity strength and function in children with burn injuries: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Children with burn injuries commonly experience persistent physical impairments that compromise functional status, restrict participation in physical activity, promote sedentary behavior, and adversely affect quality of life for years after injury. Therefore, effective rehabilitation strategies are needed to address these long-term sequelae. Objective: To investigate the effects of a 12-week upper-limb plyometric exercise program on muscle strength, power, and movement speed in children with burn injuries. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 52 children with upper extremity burn injuries. Participants were randomly allocated to either a plyometric exercise group (n = 26) or a control group (n = 26). Both groups completed supervised exercise programs twice weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention and included elbow flexor and extensor muscle strength, upper-body power measured by the medicine ball throw test, and upper-limb movement speed. Results: Following the 12-week intervention, the plyometric group demonstrated significantly greater improvements compared to the control group. Improvements were seen in elbow flexors strength (MD = 2.15 kg, 95% CI [0.38, 3.93], P = 0.02, η²= 0.11), elbow extensors strength (MD = 2.89 kg, 95% CI [0.88, 4.89], P = 0.006, η²= 0.14), medicine ball throw (MD = 32.12 cm, 95% CI [12.48, 51.75], P = 0.002, η² = 0.18), and upper extremity movement speed (MD = −3.74 seconds, 95% CI [−5.71, −1.78], P < 0.001, η²= 0.23). Conclusions: A 12-week upper-extremity plyometric training program may be more effective than conventional exercise approaches for improving muscle strength, muscle power, and upper-limb function in children with burn injuries.