Steep ramp test (SRT) performance provides an estimation of preoperative aerobic fitness that is associated with postoperative outcomes. Patients with a better SRT-estimated aerobic fitness are less likely to develop postoperative complications and more likely to experience a shorter time to recovery. The SRT might be a useful and clinically accessible tool in preoperative risk assessment to identify patients at risk of postoperative morbidity and who might benefit from preoperative exercise interventions.