Decreased mortality associated with progress in critical care results in increasing numbers of survivors of an intensive care unit (ICU) admission.1 For many ICU survivors, critical illness and its treatment result in significant long-term
morbidities.2–4 Survivors of critical illness have neuromuscular morbidities that persist years after ICU discharge
and restrict mobility, recreational pursuits, and autonomy and subsequently decrease quality of life.5 Patients who are critically ill have debilitating limitations in physical function at ICU discharge that persist months to years after ICU discharge. 4 The rate of recovery and return to pre-illness function following critical illness may be slowed by immobilization.6,7