Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Before Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Compares strength and endurance exercise programs before surgery in adults with colorectal cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Resistance vs Aerobic Prehabilitation Before Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Key facts
- Where
- Budapest, HungarySee the site
Where in Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Department of Surgery, Transplantation and GastroenterologyBudapest, HungaryTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Semmelweis University
- Trial code
- NCT07896174
- Record updated
- 26 October 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which type of exercise before surgery best reduces complications after colorectal surgery in adults with colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions. The main questions it aims to answer are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Preoperative Resistance and Aerobic Endurance Training on Surgical Outcomes and Evaluation of Patient Compliance With Prehabilitation in Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which type of exercise before surgery best reduces complications after colorectal surgery in adults with colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does resistance (strength) training, aerobic (endurance) training, or a combination of both before surgery lower the rate and severity of complications in the first 30 days after surgery, compared with no exercise program? * Which factors influence how well patients follow a prehabilitation program, and does following the program affect surgical outcomes?
Researchers will compare three exercise groups with a control group that receives standard care without an exercise program.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to one of four groups: resistance training, aerobic training, combined training, or no exercise program (control) * Do the assigned home exercise program for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery, with weekly physiotherapy check-ups in person or by phone * Receive nutritional counseling, breathing exercises, and psychological support if needed, regardless of group * Keep a daily exercise diary and record their pulse daily * Undergo physical fitness tests (walking test, sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength) and quality-of-life questionnaires before surgery and 8 weeks after surgery
Inclusion: Age over 18 years; Elective, curative-intent colon or rectal resection; Malignant or premalignant colorectal lesion; Signed written informed consent after receiving study information.
Exclusion: Unplanned acute surgery required during the prehabilitation period; Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS); Palliative surgery only; Refusal to participate in the study; Comorbidities precluding physical prehabilitation; Physical, neurological or mental status precluding physical prehabilitation; Pregnancy; Preoperative preparation program deviating from the study protocol, as deemed necessary by the study team.