Does the scoring system influence the final ranking of a free roller skating competition?

Abstract

Artistic roller skating is a continually developing sport discipline, which is subject to regulatory change. The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of the change in the scoring system on the final ranking in artistic roller skating. The design followed the procedures of a quantitative empirical research methodology, using an associative strategy, carrying out a comparative study. 98 skaters were analysed, 52 juniors and 46 seniors. The performance of each skater was analysed according to the White scoring system and the RollArt philosophy. The independent variables were the category, sex and scoring system, and the dependent variables were the short program, long program and final score, including the technical and artistic components of this discipline. For the analysis of differences between the scores obtained and the championship ranking, the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used, while for the identification of relationships between both scoring systems, the Spearman Correlation Coefficient was used. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to affirm the existence of significant differences between the two scoring systems, although the modification of the rules did not change the final ranking of the participants. Finally, the research shows that skaters adapt to the context (scoring system), although the RollArt system favors the creativity of practitioners to a greater extent.