Investigating the Anabolic Response to Resistance Exercise During Critical Illness

ICU patients often suffer from rapid and severe muscle loss. It is not known if physical therapy can mitigate the muscle wasting associated with critical illness. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of resistance exercise on muscle protein turnover in ICU patients. The investigators hypothesize that resistance exercise, in addition to amino acid supplementation and routine physiotherapy, results in an improved lower limb muscle protein balance compared to amino acid supplementation and routine physiotherapy alone.