Table 1

Methodology quality of the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) studies conducted in patients with chronic disease

12345678910Total
Rognmo et al21++++−++++−8
Roditis et al23−+−+−++++−6
Wisloff et al20++−+−++++−7
Schjerve et al26++−++−+++−7
Tjonna et al31±+−+−+++++7.5
Moholdt et al22++++−±±+++8
Fu et al28++−+−++++−7
Freyssin et al24++−+−−++++7
Iellamo et al27++−+−++++−7
Molmen-Hansen et al25++−+++++++9

  • + Represents criteria achieved and one point is given.

  • − Represents criteria not achieved.

  • ± Represents whether or not the criteria met were viewed differently by two different reviewers and therefore half a point is given.

  • PEDro criteria:

  • 1. Eligibility criteria were specified.

  • 2. Partcipants were randomly allocated to groups.

  • 3. Allocation was concealed.

  • 4. The groups were similar at baseline regarding the most important prognostic indicators.

  • 5. There was blinding of all assessors who measured the primary outcome.

  • 6. Measures of at least one key outcome were obtained from more than 70% of the participants initially allocated to groups.

  • 7. All participants for whom outcome measures were available received the treatment or control condition as allocated or, where this was not the case, data for at least one key outcome were analysed by ‘intention to treat’.

  • 8. The results of between-group statistical comparisons are reported for the primary outcome.

  • 9. The study provides the point measures and measures of variability for at least one key outcome.

  • 10. Sample size calculations were explained.