Preoperative physical activity predicts postoperative functional recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients

Purpose The present study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative physical activity (PA) and postoperative functional recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients.Materials and methods In this prospective study, we included 101 patients who underwent colorectal or gastric cancer surgery. Primary outcome was 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) decline ratio ((postoperative 6MWD value – preoperative 6MWD value)/preoperative 6MWD value × 100 (%)), which was determined as postoperative functional recovery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median of 6MWD decline ratio: above the median (non-decline group) and below the median (decline group). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SV) (the usual seven-day short version) was used to assess preoperative PA and sedentary time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of postoperative functional recovery.Results Preoperative PA (odds ratio (OR): 3.812; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.326–10.956; p = 0.01), 6MWD (OR: 1.006; 95% CI: 1.002–1.011; p < 0.01), C-reactive protein (OR: 4.138; 95% CI: 1.383–12.377; p = 0.01), and combined resection (OR: 3.425; 95% CI: 1.101–10.649; p = 0.03) were associated with postoperative functional recovery.Conclusions Preoperative PA is a predictor of postoperative functional recovery in patients who undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery.Implications for rehabilitationThe association between preoperative physical activity (PA) and postoperative functional recovery has been unclear in gastrointestinal cancer patients.We indicated that preoperative PA predicts postoperative functional recovery.Patients who low preoperative PA need to be monitored carefully in the postoperative course.Patients with low preoperative PA may need enhanced postoperative rehabilitation to reduce postoperative functional decline.