Aerobic versus resistance exercises on liver enzymes following burn injuries / Aya Gamal Fawzy Elsayed ; Supervised Amal Mohamed Abdelbaky , Ahmed Adel Nawar

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Purpose: The current study was conducted to evaluate which was more effective aerobic or resistance exercises in reducing plasma liver enzymes level (Aspartate Transaminase, AST and Alanine Transaminase, ALT) post- burn. Subjects and Methods: Sixty burned patients with burned body surface area about 30% to 50% and body mass index less than 30% participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 20-45 years. They were selected from Orabi Hospital and were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group (A) composed of 30 patients who received aerobic exercise in form of treadmill exercise for 45 minutes at 60-75% of maximum heart rate, 3times/week for 8 weeks beginning after their release from intensive care unit in addition to their physical therapy program (splinting, stretching ex. and ROM ex.) and medical treatment ranitidine, chymotrypsin-trypsin, diclofenac potassium and calcium ascorbate dihydrate and wound dressings). Group (B) composed of 30 patients who performed seven resistance exercises using dumbbells, sandbags and body weight for 2 and 3 series of 10 repetitions at an intensity of 50%-70% of 1 repetition maximum for 45 minutes/session, 3times/week for 8 weeks beginning after their release from intensive care unit in addition to their physical therapy program and medical treatment. Method of evaluation was measurements of ALT and AST liver enzymes by spectrophotometer device. Results: There was a significant decrease in ALT and AST plasma liver enzymes levels in the aerobic exercise group compared to that in the resistance exercise group (group B). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise was more effective than resistance exercises in reducing plasma liver enzymes level (AST and ALT) following burn injuries

Issued also as CD