Background The aim of this study was to compare measures of exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), muscle force, lung function and feelings of anxiety and depression in people after curative intent treatment for NSCLC with age and gender-matched healthy controls. Methods This cross-sectional study included 23 participants (68 ± 10yr; 16 females), 6-10 weeks after lobectomy for NSCLC or, for those who received adjuvant chemotherapy, 4-8 weeks after their last cycle. The study also included 20 age and gender-matched healthy controls (69 ± 5yr; 13 females). All participants underwent measurements of exercise capacity (cycle-ergometry test [CPET] and 6-min walk test [6MWT]), HRQoL (Short-Form 36 general health survey [SF-36]), handgrip force, quadriceps torque, lung function and feelings of anxiety and depression. Results When compared with data collected in healthy controls, those in the NSCLC group demonstrated impairments in the peak rate of oxygen consumption (15 ± 3 versus 24 ± 7 ml kg-1min-1; p