Table 1 Inclusion/exclusion criteria for systematic review.
PICOS item | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|
Population | Paediatric population ( < 18 years of age) | Adults, animal models |
Intervention | Fitness programs or studies investigating the problem of the placebo/nocebo effect in physical fitness | Placebo-controlled trials investigating pharmaceutical interventions for physical fitness with no natural history/ no-intervention group |
Comparator | The intervention used in the control group (e.g., no-treatment or natural history group) | N.A. |
Outcome | Measurements of physical fitness including but not limited to: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate (initial and peak), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), recovery time, and results of motor/ physical fitness tests. Measurements presented as absolute values and as change from the initial value will be included. | N.A. |
Study | Studies with at least two groups: a placebo group and a relevant control group (e.g., no-treatment or natural history group) | Studies without control groups, review articles, meta-analyses, secondary publications not based on a systematic review, letters to the editor, and conference communications |
