FIGURE 1.

Trial profile. CPET = cardiopulmonary exercise test. MET = metabolic equivalent of task. VAT = ventilatory anaerobic threshold. ^aReasons why patients did not consent to participate: 61 did not feel like it, 19 said they could not cycle, 14 had transportation difficulties, 8 patients believed they were already physically fit for surgery, 7 patients wanted their tumor removed as soon as possible, 5 could not find the time, 90 unknown reasons and/or were not asked to participate, and 46 other reasons. ^bIn the previous version of the study design, a CPET was performed before randomization took place. ^cWait-and-see policy in 1 patient with rectal cancer with complete remission after neoadjuvant therapy and 2 patients withdrew from surgery. ^dWait-and-see policy in 2 patients with rectal cancer with complete remission after neoadjuvant therapy. ^eOne out of these 28 patients withdrew, because he already knew his date of surgery and was not willing to postpone this date, but was included in the analyses according to the intention-to-treat principle. ^fTwo out of these 29 patients withdrew, 1 patient because she was overwhelmed by all appointments, and 1 patient randomized to the usual care group wanted to start training herself, but were included in the analyses according to the intention-to-treat principle.