Reliability of Using Stroke Index to the Evaluation in Swimming Technical Level for College Students Based on the Progressive Scoring Approach

The purpose of this study: The reliability of using SI to the evaluation the in swimming technical level for college students based on progressive scoring approach is discussed in this study. Method: In this study, 87 college students who were amateur swimmers were randomly selected. They were tested on the 50-meter breaststroke, and their PS, SI, and TS results were recorded. PS and SI were calculated according to the progressive scoring method, and Pearson’s correlation analysis, intra-group correlation analysis (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis were used to analyze the consistency of the scores obtained using the three evaluation methods. Results: (1) There was a significant positive correlation between SI and TS (r=0.897, P<0.01), SI and PS (r=0.822, P<0.01), and TS and PS (r=−0.819), P<0.01). (2) The ICC of SI, TS, and PS was 0.826. The ICC of PS and TS (0.896) was higher than that of SI and PS (ICC=0.787). The ICC of SI and PS (ICC=0.787) was higher than that of TS and PS (ICC=0.773). (3) 95% of the differences between SI and TS were within the 95% limit of agreement (LoA), and this was true for SI and PS, and TS and PS. The 95% LoA (−9.25–2.06) for SI and TS was the smallest, and the 95% LoA (−7.98–5.97) for SI and PS was less than the 95% LoA (−4.82–10) for TS and PS.Conclusion: Regarding the evaluation methods of college students’ swimming skill levels, SI and subjective technical evaluation methods were consistent. The SI method has the same reliability as traditional evaluation methods.