Assessment of Swimming Performance of Preschool Children

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to establish the validity and reliability of a swimming scale designed for children, ages 2 to 6 yr. Subjects ( N = 57) were tested on nine categories of tasks. These tasks were selected from the skills traditionally included within the motor domain of swimming; therefore, the scale is assumed to be valid. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to estimate the interjudge objectivity, and within-day, and between-days reliabilities. The range of values for each were: .99 to .98, .99 to .96, and .97 to .84, respectively. As these values are acceptable, the swimming scale seems to be an appropriate instrument for assessing the performance of preschool children.

Can You Swim in Waves? Children's Swimming, Floating, and Entry Skills in Calm and Simulated Unsteady Water Conditions

“…These compare favorably with Erbaugh (1978) who found intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.99-0.84 for test-retests when assessing swimming skills in children 2-6 years of age and more recently with older children and adolescents (Sršen et al, 2012). Langendorfer and Bruya (1995) suggested calculating percent (proportion) of exact agreement (P) which ought to exceed 80% instead of calculating correlations when doing qualitative assessment.…”

Utilização de Flutuadores em Aulas de Natação para Crianças: Estudo Interventivo

“…Dados quantitativos foram obtidos por meio da Escala de Erbaugh (Erbaugh, 1981), de natureza ordinal, criada com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho aquático de crianças pré-escolares e composta por 68 itens divididos em seis categorias/tarefas (1 -apanhar objetos no fundo da piscina, 2 -deslocamento ventral, 3 -pernadas, 4 -deslocamento dorsal, 5 -entrada na piscina e 6 -mergulhos partindo da borda). As tarefas representam habilidades aquáticas e os itens de cada tarefa são organizados pela ordem de dificuldade, início com tarefas simples e evolução para tarefas mais complexas (Erbaugh, 1978). Antes da avaliação pré-intervenção, a escala foi analisada individualmente e em conjunto pelos avaliadores.…”

“…Antes da avaliação pré-intervenção, a escala foi analisada individualmente e em conjunto pelos avaliadores. Este instrumento foi previamente estudado em relação à reprodutibilidade e validade (Bradley, Parker, & Blanksby, 1996;Erbaugh, 1978).…”

Progress in Precursor Skills and Front Crawl Swimming in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder

“…There is evidence that aquatic skills progress similarly through gradual and developmentally-ordered motor sequences of water orientation, water entry, buoyancy, body position, leg action, arm propulsion, breath control, and stroking with combined limbs (Erbaugh, 1978(Erbaugh, , 1980Langendorfer & Bruya, 1995;Oka, Okamoto, Yoshizawa, Tokuyama, & Kumamoto, 1978;Roberton, 1977).…”

“…The arm recovery sequence consisted of no arm action, to underwater recovery, and then to rudimentary, straight, and bent-elbow arm recovery (Langendorfer & Bruya, 1995). Erbaugh (1978Erbaugh ( , 1980Erbaugh ( , 1986 developed a similar observation rating scale that was modified by Bradley et al (1996) as the MERS-F. The five sequential developmental progression task levels of the MERS-F were the following: supported beginner kick, independent leg action, beginner front crawl action, front crawl action with breathing, and advanced front crawl action with increased swimming distance (Bradley et al, 1996).…”