Postoperative recovery depends on a complex interplay of patient-related factors of which mobility is an essential part. The aim of this study is to evaluate correlations between perioperative physical activity, quality of life, and postoperative nursing workload in colorectal surgery. A prospective study was used to assess footsteps, quality of life, and nursing workload. Number of footsteps was recorded from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 3. Patients with reduced and good mobilization were compared, and the cut-off defined by the median daily preoperative footsteps. Quality of life was assessed by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life (CGQL). Nursing workload was calculated using the Project Research in Nursing (PRN) score. Statistical correlation was measured by use of the Pearson coefficient. Fifty patients were included. Mean age was 59 years, mean body mass index was 25 kg/m(2), and 68% of them were males. Demographics, surgical details, and clinical outcomes were comparable between the group of patients with poor mobilization compared to those with good mobilization. No correlation was found between pre- or post-operative footsteps and CGQL (r = - 0.072, p = 0.640 and r = - 0.127, p = 0.407), as well as between the number of pre- or post-operative footsteps and PRN (r = 0.060, p = 0.687 and r = - 0.095, p = 0531). In conclusion, no correlation was found between the number of perioperative footsteps, quality of life, and nursing workload after colorectal surgery.