RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to evaluate exercise behavior and physical fitness of advanced lung cancer patients shortly after primary diagnosis. METHODS: Between November 2013 and December 2016, advanced lung cancer patients (n = 227, mean age 62.2 years) were enrolled shortly after diagnosis and 211 patients were tested for endurance capacity (six-minute walk test) and strength performance (maximum voluntary isometric contraction of upper and lower extremities). Current and previous exercise and walking behavior were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire regarding type, frequency, intensity, and duration. Paired Student's t tests were used to compare physical fitness to reference data. The relation of potential determinants with physical fitness was assessed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Exercise behavior was superior in the year before diagnosis compared to the time of study enrollment. Patients reduced frequency, intensity, and duration of sports/exercise after their lung cancer diagnosis. We observed significantly lower endurance capacity (p < .01) and strength performance in lower extremities (p < .01) in male and female patients compared to age and sex-matched reference data. We found significant correlations of previous exercise and walking behavior with physical fitness shortly after diagnosis in patients with advanced lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced lung cancer showed impaired physical fitness regarding endurance and strength capacity. The strong decline in participation of sports/exercise shortly after diagnosis supports early implementation of physical exercise during anti-cancer treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02055508.