Table 2

Characteristics of randomised controlled trials comparing exercise as a part of a comprehensive intervention with no intervention

Study	Participants	Interventions	Duration
I, Intervention; C, control; WISC-R, Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised.
Bluechardt 1994¹⁸	45 pupils with learning disabilities but normal WISC-R, aged 8.3–10.5 years	I: Pool and gymnastic activities, promoting skills and developing social skills	90 min, twice a week for 10 weeks
		C: Assistance in deficient skills
Boyd 1997¹⁹	181 healthy girls, aged 9–16 years	I: “Package”: Strength training, skipping, and running, locomotor activities, education, and self reported performance in log books	40 min, 9 times for the youngest and 12 times for the older during 6 weeks
		C: Regular PE classes
Bruya 1977²⁰	72 healthy pupils, aged 9–11 years	I: Training basketball skills	30 min, twice a week for 4 weeks
		C: No training
Elstein 1977²¹	33 learning disabled children with normal IQ, aged 7–15 years	I (a): Basic motor and movement skills, balance, gymnastics, physical fitness. Encouraged to extend themselves	50 min, twice a week for 9 months
		I (b): Skills in sports and ball games. Individual adjustment
		C: Free play, a lot of equipment for activity available. Child led activity
Hilyer 1979²⁵	120 students, mean age 19.1 years	I: Running with counselling	60 min, 3 times a week for 10 weeks
		C: Ordinary classes
Hilyer 1982²⁴	60 adjudicated boys from a state school, aged 15.5–18.6 years	I: Brief meetings with goal setting, flexibility training, weight training, run with gradual progress	90 min, 3 times a week for 20 weeks
		C: Regular activity, team sport
Luebke 1977²⁶	50 healthy third grade pupils	I: Basic locomotor gymnastics, ball handling, dance, rope-jumping skills	30 min, twice a week for 13 weeks
		C: No instruction
Marsh 1988²⁸	137 girls, aged 11–14 years	I: Aerobics with cooperative training	35 min, 14 times during 6 weeks
		C: Social volleyball game
McGowan 1974²⁹	37 seventh grade boys with low self image and sociogram score	I: Success oriented endurance training (running and competitive activities)	3–4 times a week for 18 weeks
		C: Regular classes without PE classes
Munson 1985³⁰	31 boys from development centre, aged 14–18 years	I: Strength training combined with leisure counselling or combined with discussion	90 min, 3 times a week for 6 weeks
		C: Regular institution programme
Platzer 1976³³	40 preschool children who exhibited deficits in gross motor skills and self concept, aged 35–72 months	I: Perceptual-motor training ensure success and reinforcement of success	30 min, 4 times a week for 10 weeks
		C: Regular activity
Smith 1982³⁵	66 healthy third grade pupils	I: Games avoiding waiting for turn and inactivity	30 min, twice a week for 8 weeks
		C: Free play