Oxygen consumption for lower extremity exercises in normal subjects and burned patients

The purpose of this study was to compare the oxygen requirements for normal subjects and burned patients during rest and while performing two separate exercises of the quadriceps femoris muscles. The oxygen consumption of 10 normal subjects and 10 burned patients while at rest and while performing each exercise was measured. The resting and exercising oxygen-consumption levels for burned patients were significantly greater (p < .01) than for normal subjects. However, the mean difference in increased oxygen consumption during two exercises for normal subjects and for burned patients was not significant (p > .05). The elevated resting and exercising oxygen-consumption levels in burned patients were considered to be related to the hypermetabolic response characteristic of thermally injured patients.