Effect of a Physical Exercise Intervention on Physical Function Parameters and Blood Analytical Changes in Lung Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study

<b>Background:</b> Lung cancer carries a high burden of systemic symptoms, including in survivors, leading to a reduced quality of life (QoL). We assessed whether a 12-week multicomponent supervised exercise programme, including muscular strength and aerobic training, was beneficial in patients who had undergone surgery for early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of physical performance, QoL, and metabolic and nutritional analytical parameters. <b>Methods:</b> Physical performance was measured by gait speed, handgrip strength, 30 s sit-to-stand (30s-STS) test repetitions, distance covered in the 6 min walk test (6MWT), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. QoL was assessed with the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, pre-albumin, creatinine, c-reactive protein, insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and the haemoglobin and hematocrit percentages were measured before and after the intervention in order to observe any beneficial effects related to metabolic markers. <b>Results:</b> After the intervention, the mean scores for the 6MWT (<i>p</i> < 0.001), STS (<i>p</i> < 0.001), 6MWT (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and SPPB (<i>p</i> < 0.01) had significantly improved. However, handgrip strength and nutritional analytical were unchanged. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 functions and symptoms significantly improved after the intervention (<i>p</i> < 0.05 and <i>p</i> < 0.01, respectively). A significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, and IGF-1 and a significant increase in pre-albumin in blood was also observed post-intervention (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> This supervised, community-based 12-week multicomponent was feasible (adherence rate 70.35%) and provided benefits not only to physical performance but also to the quality of life of patients with NSCLC.