Effect of training on maximal oxygen uptake and muscular strength after lung cancer surgery - A randomized controlled trial

Background: Lung cancer surgery may result in severe deconditioning, having a negative effect on their daily life activity. The effect of physical training following lung resection has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim was to study the effect of a training program after surgery in lung cancer. The primary outcome was change in maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) and secondary outcomes included change in muscular strength and total muscle mass. Methods: The effect of supervised endurance- and strength training program (60 min three times a week for 20 weeks) in 62 lung cancer patients (female=31) were studied during a single-blind, randomized controlled trial 5-7 weeks after surgery. The control group received standard post-operative care. VO 2max was directly measured on a treadmill. Muscular strength was assessed by measuring explosive and endurance strength, and muscle mass was measured by DXA-scan. Results: Of the 55 patients who fulfilled the intervention, the 25 in the training group had a significant improvement in VO 2max from19.2±5.15 to 23.3±5.2 ml•kg -1 •min -1 (p Conclusion: In newly resected lung cancer patients, hard training was well tolerated and resulted in a significant increase in VO 2max and muscular strength compared to controls. This study may form a basis for exercise therapy after lung cancer surgery.