Table 1 Summary of characteristics of all studies meeting the inclusion criteria
Study | Population | Age (year) | Group | Size (n) | Protocol | Setting | Duration | Frequency (d/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boer et al. 2014 [27] Belgium RCT | Adolescents with intellectual disabilities; N = 54 (30 boys) | 17.0 ± 3.0 | HIIT | 17 | Week 1–7: 10 × 15 s sprint bouts at a resistance matching with the ventilatory threshold interspersed with 45 s rest. Week 8–15: 10 × 15 s sprint bouts at 110% ventilatory threshold interspersed with 45 s rest | Supervised by physiotherapists at schools | 15 weeks | 2 |
CAT | 15 | three blocks of 10Â min continuous training | ||||||
CON | 14 | no supervised exercise training | ||||||
Braaksma et al. 2022 [28] Netherlands Non-RCT | Children with developmental coordination disorder; N = 20 (16 boys) | 10.0 ± 1.6 | HIIT | 20 | Based on running, strength exercises and plyometrics, ≥ 80% HRmax | Supervised by trained physical therapists and PE teachers at rehabilitation centres or special schools | 10 weeks | 2 |
Lauglo et al. 2016 [29] Norway Non-RCT | Children with cerebral palsy; N = 20 (11 boys) | 13–16 | HIIT | 14 | 4 × 4 min intervals at 85% HRmax interspersed with active recovery at about 70% of HRmax on a treadmill | Supervised by physiotherapists Venue not reported | 5–12 weeks | 2–4 |
Leahy et al. 2021 [30] Australia non-RCT | Adolescents with disability; N = 11 (7 boys) | 17.3 ± 0.7 | HIIT | 16 |  ~ 10 min and involves 8 × 30 s low complexity exercise interspersed with 30 s rest, ≥ 85% age-predicted HRmax | Supervised by teachers at schools | 2 months | 2–3 |
Lee et al. 2019 [31] Canada Randomized crossover | Adolescents hospitalized for a mental illness; N = 28 (8 boys) | 15.5 ± 0.9 | HIIT | 28 | 12 min HIIT circuit consisting of body weight exercises performed in a 1:1 work to rest ratio | Screened by psychiatrists and nurses at a hospital | 1 day (acute effect) | N.A. |
CON | 28 | reading magazines | ||||||
Messler et al. 2018 [32] Germany RCT | Boys with ADHD; N = 18 | 11.0 ± 1.0 | HIIT | 14 | 4 × 4 min intervals at 95% HRmax interspersed with 3 min recovery at < 60% HRmax | Recommended by physician/psychologist at a hospital | 3 weeks | 3 |
TRAD | 14 | 60 min sessions of ball and team games, court sports, and climbing at < 70% HRmax) | ||||||
Schranz et al. 2018 [33] Austria RCT | Children with cerebral palsy; N = 22 (15 boys) | 13.4 ± 2.4 (HIIT) 12.2 ± 2.7 (PRT) | HIIT | 11 | 3 rounds of 5 functional exercises with maximal intensity in short intervals of 30 s, interspersed with 30 s rest | Home-based workout with DVD instructions | 8 weeks | 3 |
PRT | 11 | same functional exercises, intensity was progressively increased using a weight vest | ||||||
Smati et al. 2022 [34] Canada Non-RCT | Children with cerebral palsy with GMFCS level III–IV; N = 9 (5 boys) | 8.7 ± 1.7 | HIIT | 9 | physical activities/ circuit training exercises mainly involved short sprints or fast walking (10–15 s) interspersed walking recovery period at self-selected speed (30–60 s) | Supervised by PE teachers and undergraduate students in kinesiology at a school | 12 weeks | 3 |
Soori et al. 2020 [35] Iran RCT | Adolescents with ADHD; N = 43 (20 boys) | 12.6 ± 0.2 (HIIT) 12.5 ± 0.5 (CON) | HIIT | 16 | 20 m running program repetitions interspersed with 20–30 s rest, ≥ 85% HRmax | Not reported | 6 weeks | 3 |
CON | 17 | maintained their daily activities | ||||||
Taylor et al. 2019 [36] Australia Non-RCT | Adolescents with serious mental illness; N = 30 (11 boys) | 16.0 ± 1.2 | HIIT | 15 | 4 × 30 s maximal cycling sprints interspersed with 4 min recovery | Supervised by researchers at a hospital | 8 weeks | 3 |
CON | 15 | received treatment as usual | ||||||
Torabi et al. 2018 [37] Iran Non-RCT | Adolescents with ADHD; N = 50 (30 boys) | 12.7 ± 1.1 | HIIT | 25 | 20 m running program repetitions interspersed with 20–30 s rest, ≥ 85% HRmax | Supervised by researchers at laboratories | 6 weeks | 3 |
CON | 25 | no training throughout the experimental period | ||||||
Wymbs et al.2021 [38] USA Crossover | Children with ADHD; N = 78 (57 boys) | 9.7 ± 2.5 | HIIT | 78 |  ~ 25 min in total, consisted of short bursts (2–5 min) of aerobic and anaerobic activity (e.g. running and doing jumping jacks) at 80–90% HRmax, interspersed with 2 min recovery | Supervised by undergraduate and graduate students trained by psychologists at a therapeutic summer camp | 15 days | 7 |
|  | CON | 78 |  ~ 25 min in total, consisted of short bouts (2–5 min) of low intensity activities (e.g. walking, yoga) at 50–75% HRmax, interspersed with 2 min recovery (self-controlled, children participated in high or low intensity exercise on alternating days) | |||||
Zwinkels et al. 2018 [39] Netherlands Non-RCT | Youth with physical disabilities N = 70 (38 boys) | 13.4 ± 2.9 | HIIT-runners | 36 | 30 s all-out exercises interspersed with 90–120 s active recovery | Supervised by physical educators and/or physical therapists at schools | 8 weeks | 2 |
HIIT-walkers | 25 | 30 s all-out exercises interspersed with 90–120 s active recovery | ||||||
HIIT- wheelchair users | 9 | 30 s all-out exercises interspersed with 90–120 s active recovery |