Health fitness, physical activity, and quality of life in patients undergoing first chemotherapy for lung cancer: a cross-sectional study

In this study, we examined determinants of health fitness and physical activity levels in 372 patients with lung cancer undergoing their first chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Wuxi, China, and their impact on quality of life (QoL). Standardized measures were used to asses body composition, muscular function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and QoL was evaluated using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer 43. Higher physical activity levels correlated with better global health but were associated with increased symptom burden and functional limitations. Muscle mass, grip strength, and 6-minute walk distance were positively linked to global health but negatively associated with symptom and functional scales. Females reported higher symptom burdens and lower functional scores. Multivariate analysis identified gender, education, comorbidities, disease stage, and activity levels as key QoL predictors. Improved fitness and physical activity were associated with better QoL. Early identification of patients with low activity and poor fitness can guide tailored interventions to enhance functional capacity and well-being. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating fitness assessments and personalized exercise into lung cancer management to improve treatment outcomes and QoL.