Author Identifier (ORCID)
Tyler Jerome Osborne: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4156-6057
Abstract
Background: Burn injury induces a prolonged inflammatory response that may contribute to long-term metabolic dysfunction. Exercise is known to reduce inflammation in various clinical populations; however, its effect on chronic post-burn inflammation remains unclear. This crossover trial investigated the impact of a 6-week exercise intervention on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in adults with non-severe burns sustained more than one year prior. Methods: Twenty-one participants were randomised to complete either a 6-week exercise program or a control period first, separated by a 4-week washout. The exercise program comprised three supervised sessions per week of combined resistance and cardiovascular training. Primary (TNF-α) and secondary (muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness) outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Fifteen participants completed the protocol with high adherence (90.4%). Exercise significantly improved quadriceps strength and cardiovascular fitness, confirming the intervention’s safety and efficacy in this cohort. However, TNF-α concentrations were not elevated at baseline and did not significantly change following exercise compared with control (mean difference: +0.5 pg·mL−1, p = 0.249). Exercise is safe and beneficial for non-severely burned patients who sustained their injury > 1 year ago. However, inflammation was not elevated in this cohort, precluding our ability to test the effects of exercise on chronic inflammation.
Keywords
Burns, exercise, inflammation, metabolism, rehabilitation
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
3-1-2026
Volume
7
Issue
1
Publication Title
European Burn Journal
Publisher
MDPI
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
Fiona Wood Foundation (RGS3381) / Murdoch University (2020/501)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Osborne, T. J., Rowe, G., Edgar, D. W., Fear, M., Wood, F. M., Fairchild, T., Galna, B., Kenworthy, P., & Wall, B. (2026). Effect of a 6-week structured exercise intervention on TNF-α during the chronic recovery phase of a burn injury compared to regular daily activities: A pilot randomised cross-over trial. European Burn Journal, 7(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj7010011