Effects of propranolol and exercise training in children with severe burns

Objectives: To investigate whether propranolol administration blocks the benefits induced by exercise training in severely burned children. Study design: Children aged 7-18 years (n = 58) with burns covering ≥30% of the total body surface area were enrolled in this randomized trial during their acute hospital admission. Twenty-seven patients were randomized to receive propranolol, whereas 31 served as untreated controls. Both groups participated in 12 weeks of in-hospital resistance and aerobic exercise training. Muscle strength, lean body mass, and peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak) were measured before and after exercise training. Paired and unpaired Student t tests were used for within and between group comparisons, and χ² tests for nominal data. Results: Age, length of hospitalization, and total body surface area burned were similar between groups. In both groups, muscle strength, lean body mass, and VO₂ peak were significantly greater after exercise training than at baseline. The percent change in VO₂ peak was significantly greater in the propranolol group than in the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: Exercise-induced enhancements in muscle mass, strength, and VO₂ peak are not impaired by propranolol. Moreover, propranolol improves the aerobic response to exercise in massively burned children.