The Assessment of the Feasibility of a Home Based Exercise Programme in the Older Patient Following Major Surgery

The primary aim of this study is to establish if it is possible for patients who have undergone major body surgery to complete a home based exercise training program and complete the assessments required to measure physical and cognitive function. If the investigators can establish that it is feasible to complete the training and test’s then further research can follow using these methods to determine whether it is possible to improve the physical function of older patients undergoing major abdominal surgery in the period following surgery by using a simple exercise regimen that can be carried out at home. By targeting physical function in this way the investigators hope to determine if it is a method for improving frailty and well being. In turn it may also have a positive impact on health service provision.