Validation of Scoring Tool for the Lipid Profile Interpretation in Exercise Training: SLIEX.

Background: Interpreting the effects of exercise is complicated because lipid profiles contain four different markers. Thus, scoring tools are required to aid interpretation of the effects of exercise on lipid profiles. A Scoring tool for Lipid profile Interpretation in EXercise (SLIEX) was designed specifically for use by health professionals to interpret effects of exercise intervention on lipid profiles.

Methods: The tool consisted of 18 scores (4 scores for changes pre- and post-intervention, and 14 scores for weightage of changes). This score provides the proportion of improvement in the lipid profile following exercise intervention. Kappa statistics (κ) were used to measure interobserver agreement, and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to check the reliability of the scoring tool. One-way ANOVA was used to identify systematic differences between observers using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: The summated SLIEX scores for each observer showed no systematic differences [F (2, 69) = 0.09, P = 0.991]. The summated SLIEX scores of the three observers showed significant association and excellent agreement as follows: Observers 1 and 2: ICC = 0.950, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.889-0.978, P < 0.001; Observers 2 and 3: ICC = 0.993, 95% CI, 0.983-0.997, P = 0.000; Observers 1 and 3: ICC = 0.972, 95% CI, 0.937-0.988, P < 0.01.

Conclusion: The SLIEX score is a new and reliable tool designed for health professionals to interpret the effect of exercise intervention on lipid profiles.