Prehabilitation focusing on nutrition and fitness can significantly influence postoperative recovery in esophageal cancer patients.

• Higher preoperative BMI linked to more overall complications (p = .029).
• Better exercise capacity and muscle function correlated with fewer pulmonary complications (p < .045) and improved functional capacity (p < .032).

Addressing fatigue preoperatively is crucial, as it relates to better patient outcomes.

• Less fatigue pre-surgery associated with improved quality of life and less postoperative fatigue (p ≤ .001).