Table 1.
Description of each modified TESTEX criterion.
| Evaluation point | Points | Assessment standard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eligibility criteria specified | 1 | Information on inclusion and exclusion criteria. For HRV recording, no medication with cardiac effects |
| 0.5 | Specification of inclusion or exclusion | ||
| 0 | Not reported | ||
| 2 | Randomization specified | 1 | Yes |
| 0 | No or not reported | ||
| 3 | Allocation concealment | 1 | Yes |
| 0 | No or not reported | ||
| 4 | Groups similar at baseline | 1 | All parameters (gender, age, BMI) |
| 0.5 | Partially | ||
| 0 | No or not reported | ||
| 5 | Blinding of assessor (for at least one key outcome) | 1 | Yes |
| 0 | No or not reported | ||
| 6 | Outcome measures assessed in at least 85% of patients | 3 | Dropout of subjects <15% + report of dropout events + persistent subjects with 85% participation in sessions |
| 2 | 2 of the aforementioned | ||
| 1 | Only persistent subjects with 85% participation in sessions | ||
| 0 | Nothing or not reported | ||
| 7 | Intention-to-treat analysis | 1 | Yes |
| 0 | No | ||
| 8 | Between-group statistical comparisons reported | 2 | Reported for primary (HRV) and secondary endpoint (BMI, BP, VO2,)… |
| 1 | Reported for primary endpoint | ||
| 0 | Not reported | ||
| 9 | Point measures and measures of variability for all reported outcome measures | 1 | p-Values and effect size |
| 0.5 | Only p-values | ||
| 0 | Not reported | ||
| 10 | Activity monitoring in control groups | 1 | Yes, with protocol |
| 0 | No or not reported | ||
| 11 | Relative exercise intensity remained constant | 1 | Increase in the process with adaptation to performance (intermediate measurement of the performance parameters) |
| 0.5 | Step-by-step concept planned from the beginning | ||
| 0 | Constant training during the monitoring period | ||
| 12 | Exercise volume and energy expenditure stated | 1 | Specification of intensity, frequency, mode and duration of the training with a minimum of: • Endurance training VO2 or other equivalent • Resistance training 1RM or other equivalent |
| 0.5 | Specification of intensity, frequency, mode, and duration of the training without VO2, 1RM, or other equivalent | ||
| 0 | Not reported |
BMI, body mass index; BP, blood pressure; HRV, heart rate variability; RM, repetition maximum; VO2, oxygen consumption.