PancFit: Multimodal Exercise During Preoperative Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Participants complete 4 questionnaires about physical abilities, motivation, and quality of life They should take about 25 minutes total to complete.

Participants complete a nutritional questionnaire and receive nutritional counseling. It should take about 5 minutes to complete. Participants receive educational materials and personalized counseling based on participant's answers.

Participants receive a booklet that contains a stretching guide with full-body stretches and safety.

Participants complete up to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking, stationary cycling, and/or elliptical or stair stepping machines) for at least 5 days each week. Participants complete strength training exercises at least 2 times per week.

Participants contacted by phone by member of study staff one (1) time each week for the first 4 weeks, and then every 2 weeks after that for behavioral skills training and to see how participant is doing. These calls should last about 15 minutes.

After completion of chemotherapy and/or radiation, 3-6 weeks after surgery, and then 3-7 months after surgery: Participant's hand grip strength measured using a hand-held machine. Participants arm strength measured using an arm curl test. Participants asked to rise from a chair without using their arms to push off. Participants complete a 6-minute walk test to see how far participant can walk in 6 minutes.