title: Feasibility of Exercise Training in Cancer Patients Scheduled for Elective Gastrointestinal Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the feasibility of a preoperative exercise program to improve the physical fitness of a patient before gastrointestinal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient exercise program was developed to increase preoperative aerobic capacity, peripheral muscle endurance and respiratory muscle function in patients with pancreatic, liver, intestinal, gastric or esophageal cancer. During a consult at the outpatient clinic, patients were invited to participate in the exercise program when their surgery was not scheduled within 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 115 participants followed on average 5.7 (3.5) training sessions. Adherence to the exercise program was high: 82% of the planned training sessions were attended, and no adverse events occurred. Mixed model analyses showed a significant increase of maximal inspiratory muscle strength (84.1-104.7 cm H2O; p = 0.00) and inspiratory muscle endurance (35.0-39.5 cm H2O; p = 0.00). No significant changes were found in aerobic capacity and peripheral muscle strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This exercise program in patients awaiting oncological surgery is feasible in terms of participation and adherence. Inspiratory muscle function improved significantly as a result of inspiratory muscle training. The exercise program however failed to result in improved aerobic capacity and peripheral muscle strength, probably due to the limited number of training sessions as a result of the restricted time interval between screening and surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports, University Medical Center Utrecht, Academic Hospital Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Valkenet
authors.forename: Jaap C A
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Trappenburg
authors.forename: Carlo C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Schippers
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wanders
authors.forename: Lidwien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.forename: Frank J G
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Backx
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Hillegersberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology