Article

The Effects of Regular Exercise Programs for Visually Impaired and Sighted Schoolchildren

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Abstract

This article reports on a study of the effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise training on the cardiovascular fitness and body composition of 30 visually impaired students from the Alabama School for the Blind (the ET group) versus traditional physical education classes for a group of sighted students from a local public school (the PE group). Whereas the ET group showed a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness and a significant decrease in body composition after training, no significant changes were noted in the PE group.

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... 1,6,16,20,39,40,44,50,56,62,69,75,90,93,96,104,110,111,121 In some cases, authors quantified the number of participants with a certain degree of visual impairment, that is, how many participants had visual impairment and how many participants were blind. 32,39,74,85,90,97,108,123 Thirteen studies reported the number of participants that fell into a visual acuity range or reported the visual acuity of each individual participant, 7,8,12,13,15,21,26,27,43,61,78,95,110 whereas 18 studies reported the diagnoses or cause of visual impairment of their participants. 1 studies, participants had visual impairment or blindness caused by various eye conditions. ...
... The studies included in this review investigated a broad range of interventions (Table 1). For studies focusing on physical performance, interventions included (group-based) training programs, 1,12,16,19,54,69,74,75,82,97,104 provision of information, 56,91 sports camps, 11,71,84 and training in trail-following tasks. 89 For studies focusing on oral health, interventions included oral health education programs 3,20,28,39,96,123 and tooth brushing instructions. ...
... Two studies had BMI as outcome measure, 16,19 whereas 1 study reported age and height of the participants. 12 Two studies might have used the same instrument to measure parental stress, but Platje and coworkers refer to the instrument as Parenting Stress Index (with references), 83 To assess oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practice, both Hebbal and Ankola, as well as Yalcinkaya and Atalay, constructed their own questionnaires, 46,123 without providing any measures of reliability or validity. The questionnaire developed by Yalcinkaya and Atalay was also used in the study of Ganapathi and coworkers. ...
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Visual impairment in childhood often has life-long implications. To aim for the highest levels of functioning, participation, and quality of life and to ensure children's well-being, children should be entitled to the most effective rehabilitation programs. We review evidence for the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for children with visual impairment to improve skills and behavior, thereby improving participation and quality of life as an ultimate goal. Of the 441 potentially relevant articles identified, 66 studies met our inclusion criteria (i.e., 28 randomized controlled trials, 18 nonrandomized controlled trials, and 20 before-after comparisons). The results suggest that sports camps, prescription and training in the use of low vision devices, and oral hygiene programs might be effective in improving functioning and elements of participation and quality of life in children with visual impairment. Other interventions showed mixed or negative results. The results should be interpreted with caution because of moderate to high risk of bias and suboptimal reporting. Heterogeneity of results and the use of over 50 different outcome measures prevented a meta-analysis. Future studies should focus on promising interventions for which effectiveness is still unclear (e.g., mobility, social skills), with adequately designed methodology.
... (Stuart et al., 2006).Low physical activity may influence higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and young adults with vision loss (Augestad & Jiang, 2015). Children with visual impairments (both those who are blind and those with low vision) have consistently exhibited lower levels of fitness than have their sighted peers (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Hopkins, Gaeta, Thomas, & Hill, 1987;Meekand Maguire, 1996;Lieberman & McHugh, 2001). Including children with visual impairments in physical activities contributes to a high quality of life by empowering them to achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living, including sports and recreational activities (Gleser, Margulies, Nyska, Porat, & Mendelberg, 1992;Marley & Beverly-Mullins, 1997). ...
... It found that fewer than 20% of the children with visual impairments passed at least four items on the fitness gram, compared to 48%-70% of the sighted children. In comparison of passing rates of girls and boys with visual impairments, the passing rate for the boys exceeded that for girls by 17% in the one-mile walk/run, and the passing rates for the girls exceeded those for the boys in push-ups (15%), curl-ups (14%), the BMI (27%), and shoulder stretch (right, 35%, and left, 16%) (Lieberman & McHugh, 2001).The results of several studies have shown that children with visual impairments have a higher percentage of body fat (as measured by skinfolds) that does sighted children (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Hopkins, Gaeta, Thomas, &Hill, 1987;Jankowski &Evans, 1981). Children blind had higher skinfold measure than children with low vision and sighted children (Hopkins, Gaeta, Thomas & Hill, 1987). ...
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Aim. The aim of this study was to examine relationship between body composition and muscle strength in early adolescence goal-ball players with visual impairments. Methods: Thirteen early adolescence goal-ball players with visual impairments that are goal-ball players participated (mean age 13.54±1.27 years, height 155.23±10.86 cm and, body weight 48.23±10.43 kg). Body composition measurements that were assessed included body mass index, body fat percentage and skinfold (abdominal, subscapular, triceps and suprailiac). Participants were also assessed on several strength measurements including standing long jump, the right hand grip, left hand grip, vertical jump, leg strength, sit-up and push up. Results: Positive correlations between ages and height with the standing long jump, the right hand grip, the left hand grip, vertical jump were found in the early adolescence goal-ball players with visual impairments (P<0.05). Negative correlations were found between body mass index and body fat percentage with standing long jump, vertical jump, sit-up (P<0.05) and among skinfold (subscapular, triceps and suprailiac) with standing long jump, the right hand grip, left hand grip, vertical jump, push up (P<0.05) and between abdominal skinfold with standing long jump, the right hand grip, left hand grip, vertical jump, sit-up, push up (P<0.05). On the other hand, there was not a correlation between body weight with muscle strength and leg strength with body composition (P>0.05). Conclusins: In an assessment of body composition and muscle strength, it was found that body weight did not significantly impact muscle strength in early adolescence goal-ball players with visual impairments. This finding could be of importance for understanding the role of muscle strength and body composition in routine training of goal-ball players.
... Durante las diferentes etapas de la vida se ha estudiado cómo la actividad física influye en la salud, pero son pocos los estudios que investigan los niveles de actividad física de las personas con discapacidad y cómo influyen en estos, especialmente en las etapas infantil y adolescente [5][6][7][8][9] . ...
... Una buena parte de los estudios sobre actividad física, salud y DSV se han centrado en niños con problemas de visión. Autores como Blessing et al. 5 ya indican que la participación en actividades físicas ayuda al desarrollo de la personalidad, la confianza y la independencia, siendo vital para el desarrollo ambiental de personas con DSV. Estudios de evaluación de la capacidad física de niños con DSV han demostrado que esta población posee niveles más bajos de aptitud cardiovascular, perfiles de composición corporal poco saludables y niveles disminuidos de actividad física en comparación con los niños videntes con la misma edad y el mismo sexo 8,19 . ...
Article
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Abstract: Currently very low amount of scientific studies analyse the effect of physical activity on physiological and psychological parameters on people suffering visual sensorial deficiencies and blind. These persons form a particular neglected population and the information about how physical activity affects their quality of life related to health and healthy aging is very poor. The objective of this work had been to review the studies that analyse the effect of the physical activity on visual sensorial deficiencies people and the influence of this activity on health including those risk factors influencing health due to sedentarism.
... Researchers, given that the mobility problems of children with visual impairment suffer due to the limited opportunities for movement and the lack of relevant experience, point out that the implementation of interventions and structured physical education programs leads them to improve their motor skills. Children with visual impairment facilitated through the application of general physical activity programs show an improvement in their physical fitness performance and even have a chance of reaching or reaching the levels of their sighted peers [41]. Capella-cDonall [42] points out that for children and adolescents with visual disabilities, it is imperative to promote intervention strategies because there are shortcomings [40], [43] and, on the other hand, in order to promote their participation in physical activity. ...
... Given that the kinetic problems of children with visual impairment are present due to the limited opportunities for movement and the lack of relevant experience, the researchers point out that the implementation of interventions and structured physical education programs leads them to an improvement in their motor skills. Indeed, children with visual impairment facilitated through the implementation of general physical activity programs show improvement in performance with regard to physical fitness levels and are likely to approach or reach levels of their sighted peers [41]. ...
... These limitations result in delays in physical activity (Lieberman & McHugh, 2001); motor development (Celeste, 2002;Jan, Sykanda, & Groenveld, 1990;Pereira, 1990); and motor skills, particularly locomotor activities (Pereira, 1990;Sleeuwenhoek, Boter, & Vermeer, 1995). Moreover, research has shown that when children who are visually impaired are given an equal opportunity to participate in regular physical activity, their physical fitness improves, and they exhibit levels of fitness that are comparable to those of sighted children (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Ponchillia, Powell, Felski, & Nicklawski, 1992;Williams, Armstrong, Eves, & Faulkner, 1996). ...
... The findings of this study are consistent with those of previous studies that found that more than 80% of children who are visually impaired pereeived a limitation in their ability to engage in physical activity (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000). In contrast, other studies have found that with equal opportunity, the fitness of individuals who are visually impaired who engage in regular physical activity improves and that these individuals exhibit levels of fitness that are comparable to those of sighted individuals (Blessing et al., 1993;Ponchillia et al., 1992;Williams et al., 1996). The parents of the children who were blind in this study were fearful that their children would be hurt when engaging in physical activity. ...
Article
This survey of 25 visually impaired children aged 10-12 and their parents investigated the value the parents placed on their children's physical activity and the barriers to physical activity that the children faced. The results revealed that as vision loss increased, parents' expectations for their children's ability to be physically active decreased, as did the children's views that physical activity is important or useful.
... Children and adolescents with visual impairments are among the most sedentary groups of all individuals with disabilities (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000). And, when compared to children without disabilities, children and youth with visual impairments have demonstrated lower levels of physical fitness (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Kobberling, Jankowski, & Leger, 1991;Lieberman & McHugh, 2001;Meek & Maguire, 1996;Seelye, 1983;Short & Winnick, 1986;Titlow & Ishee, 1986), lower levels of physical activity, and experience more perceived physical activity participation barriers (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 1994, 2000. Children and adolescents with visual impairments do not engage in sufficient physical activity to meet national recommendations (Kozub, 2006). ...
... Of particular note was the fact that the students with visual impairments tended to live more sedentary lifestyles. Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, and Williford (1993) compared the effects of a 16 ...
... Despite global awareness and interest in physical fitness for everyone, opportunities for people with disabilities in fitness programs remain quite limited (Miller, 1995), especially in developing nations with higher dismal picture. Earlier researcher has shown that children who are impaired consistently exhibited lower levels of fitness than their sighted peers (Blessing & Mccrimmon, 1993). In the same vein, studies have regularly investigated the influence of different anthropometric dimensions and measures in relation to physical performance variable (Keogh, Hume, Pearson & Mellow, 2009). ...
Article
Full-text available
Physical activity plays an important role in prevention of chronic diseases; insight into the interaction between physical activity and health need to be quantified. The research goal was to investigate relationship between anthropometric parameters and physical fitness in learners with visual impairment. Twenty one male students with various degree of visual impairment participated (aged: 24-51 years) and tested on (1) six anthropometric predictors, including body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-to hip ratio (WHR), and (2) five Physical Fitness Factors (PFF) measuring: Heat rate, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, right and left grip strength, flexibility and Aerobic endurance. Correlation and survey research design was adopted for the study. Descriptive statistic (mean, S.D) and inferential statistic (Pearson correlation and regression) were computed with SPSS version 20. Linear (y = a + bx) and multiple linear (y = a + b x + b₂x₂ …..b n x n) equations were calculated to determine the degree of association and predict PFF from respective anthropometric variables. All anthropometric parameters produced an extremely weak relationship with physical fitness factors. In this study, no association is found between body weight and systolic blood pressure, no relationship between hip circumference and static right grip strength. Considering the goal of this research, it is concluded that there is a significant relationship between health's related anthropometric measure and physical fitness factors. Then we can use these measurements to predict values in any of the physical fitness components because the techniques are non-invasive and cost effective.
... Blessing et al. found significant improvement in the cardiovascular system of participants after 16 weeks of aerobic exercise in visually impaired people. At the same time, it was found that the body composition of the participants also improved significantly (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stoval & Williford, 1993). ...
Article
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The purpose of this study is to compare the physical and motor characteristics of individuals with total visual impairment (TVI) and individuals with low vision (LVI). 250 participants (136 participants=TVI, 114 participants=LVI) bettween the age 10-19 participated in the study. Participants’ anthropometric features (age, height, weight, and BMI), balance, sitting reach, standing long jump, shuttle run, vertical jump, shuttle, hanging with bent arm, and handgrip strength were measured. Dr. Lovett's manual muscle strength measurement (MMSM) was used to determine the strength parameters. The strength of arm flexion strenght (FS), arm extension strenght (ES), leg FS, leg ES, hip FS, hip ES, back and abdominal strenght were measured. For statistical analysis the SPSS 25 was used. Therefore, Independent Sample T Test was used to determine the difference between the two groups. As a result of the statistical analyzes, a significant difference was found between TVI and LVI in balance, sit and reach, standing long jump, shuttle run, vertical jump, shuttle, handgrip strength, abdominal strength, back strength, hip FS, arm FS, and arm ES (p<0.05). LVI's motoric properties were better than TVI. There was no difference between groups in bent arm hanging (BAH), hip ES, leg FS and leg ES (p>0.05). As a result of the study, it was found that the degree of vision significantly affects physical and motor development. TVI develop slower than LVI in terms of physical and motor characteristics.This study was conducted to reveal the difference in motor characteristics between TVI and LVI. According to the results of this study; In order to prevent insufficient physical and motor development in TVI individuals in developmental age, it is recommended to be supported with sportive activities. The development of TVI individuals should be followed from early childhood and appropriate strategies should be developed.
... An assessment of balance abilities in visually impaired individuals performed by Zahálka et al. (2011) indicated a necessity to increase postural stability in a standing position and locomotion through physical education. At the same time, lower ability levels and delays in coping with specific skills were observed in visually impaired children (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Nielsenová, 1998). The conclusions of foreign research studies aimed at determining the level of physical abilities is also confirmed or commented on by . ...
Book
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One of the many reasons for making this text available is the fact that there are only few literary sources addressing the issue of physical activity in visually impaired persons. This applies both to children and adults. Another reason is the fact that a number of visually impaired children are integrated in common schools. Visually impaired pupils cope well with most school subjects in cooperation with special education centres. An exception is physical education. So far, there is an insufficient number of quality teachers of adapted physical education, and traditional PE teachers are not sure if they are able to deal with this issue. Therefore, upon agreement with parents and physicians they choose to exempt a visually impaired child from mandatory PE lessons for ‘health reasons’. Currently, this is usual practice evidenced by our long-lasting experience gained in seminars on integrating visually impaired children in PE lessons held for PE teachers and employees of special education centres. We all feel that this is not a step in the right direction. Form a professional perspective, this situation is absolutely unacceptable. An insufficient level of motor competence in visually impaired children can be a seriously limiting factor in everyday life as well as future professions although the child’s intellectual abilities can be above-average. Let alone the negative influence of hypo kinesis on human health. A similar situation is observed in the area of physical activity and particularly physically-oriented activities in visually impaired persons. Our findings are equally intended for parents, teachers, educators, trainers, coaches and other staff working with visually impaired individuals of all ages. An important target group of this text are the students of adapted physical education, applied physical activity and other fields involving physical education. These persons should particularly focus on the theoretical sections of this book that should provide an appropriate insight into their future professions.
... An assessment of balance abilities in visually impaired individuals performed by Zahálka et al. (2011) indicated a necessity to increase postural stability in a standing position and locomotion through physical education. At the same time, lower ability levels and delays in coping with specific skills were observed in visually impaired children (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Nielsenová, 1998). The conclusions of foreign research studies aimed at determining the level of physical abilities is also confirmed or commented on by . ...
Book
One of the many reasons for making this text available is the fact that there are only few literary sources addressing the issue of physical activity in visually impaired persons. This applies both to children and adults. Another reason is the fact that a number of visually impaired children are integrated in common schools. Visually impaired pupils cope well with most school subjects in cooperation with special education centres. An exception is physical education. So far, there is an insufficient number of quality teachers of adapted physical education, and traditional PE teachers are not sure if they are able to deal with this issue. Therefore, upon agreement with parents and physicians they choose to exempt a visually impaired child from mandatory PE lessons for ‘health reasons’. Currently, this is usual practice evidenced by our long-lasting experience gained in seminars on integrating visually impaired children in PE lessons held for PE teachers and employees of special education centres. We all feel that this is not a step in the right direction. Form a professional perspective, this situation is absolutely unacceptable. An insufficient level of motor competence in visually impaired children can be a seriously limiting factor in everyday life as well as future professions although the child’s intellectual abilities can be above-average. Let alone the negative influence of hypo kinesis on human health. A similar situation is observed in the area of physical activity and particularly physically-oriented activities in visually impaired persons. Our findings are equally intended for parents, teachers, educators, trainers, coaches and other staff working with visually impaired individuals of all ages. An important target group of this text are the students of adapted physical education, applied physical activity and other fields involving physical education. These persons should particularly focus on the theoretical sections of this book that should provide an appropriate insight into their future professions.
... Blessing et al, 1993;Williams et al, 1996). One study indicated that visually impaired people should be offered more opportunities to participate in physical activities because they can improve their health and fitness effectively through physical activity(Lieberman et al, 2010).Furthermore, the results obtained showed that the applied physical fitness program had a fundamental role in this improvement; this program involved various physical exercises and the students were given great flexibility in their actions. ...
... (Ponchillia at al, 2008) However, when they were allowed to participate in sport activities, their VO2max was improved. Various studies found out that if visually impaired people are given the chance to participate in normal physical activity, then they will surely improve their physical fitness, which may become comparable to that of a sighted person (Ponchillia at al, 1992;Blessing et al, 1993;Williams et al, 1996). One study indicated that visually impaired people should be offered more opportunities to participate in physical activities because they can improve their health and fitness effectively through physical activity (Lieberman et al, 2010). ...
Article
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Background: The present research aims to know how much impact the physical fitness program may have on the VO 2 max of blind male students (15-18 years old). The experimental method was used on a sample of 9 blind male students at the Visually Impaired Center, in the town of Tlemcen. These students were chosen randomly. Methods: We applied the one-mile running test to measure the level of respiratory cardio fitness. Results: The results obtained indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the pretests and posttests, in favor of the posttests. Conclusionː It was found that it is highly recommended to pay great attention to level of respiratory cardio fitness of the blind and also to provide specialized professors in the field of motor activity in special centers for the visually impaired.
... The finding that B1 participants had higher PASES and fewer PA barriers than B4 participants was unexpected, but serves as a reminder that a person's perception of barriers and SE for overcoming barriers may be influenced by more than just the severity of VI. In fact, children who are blind have been known to achieve healthy levels of PA when provided with the opportunities to do so (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993). ...
Article
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Background. In the current paper we examined the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire for children with Visual Impairments (PABQ-VI). We examined evidence for the ability of the PABQ-VI to produce scores considered to be valid and exhibit internal reliability. Methods. Forty one children living in the USA who were attending a residential sports camp participated in our research. Psychometric properties of the PABQ-VI were investigated using Pearson product-moment coefficients, Cronbach’s alpha and split-half reliability tests. Convergent validity was established by exploring correlations between the PABQ-VI, physical activity (PA) levels and participant’s self-efficacy for overcoming barriers. Results. Participants demonstrated low PA levels. Both PA participation and barrier PA self-efficacy scores were correlated with the PABQ-VI. The most physically active participants perceived fewer barriers and had stronger efficacy compared to participants who were less physically active. Conclusions. Overall, the PABQ-VI demonstrated preliminary evidence of convergent validity. Future researchers may consider reducing participant burden by reducing the scale length through eliminating the most poorly performing items and examining the three-factor structure using factor analysis.
... Komplexnost problémů spojených s výše zmíněnou interakcí se tak projevuje nižší úrovní pohybových schopností (Hopkins, Gaeta, Thomas, & Hill, 1987;Lieberman & McHugh, 2001;Nakamura, 1997;Short & Winnick, 1988) a promítá se i do vykonávání každodenních činností, výskytu negativních znaků charakterizujících sociální dovednosti a také do dřívějšího nástupu kardiorespiračních onemocnění a obezity (Leverenz, 2009). Již u dětí se ZrP byly konstatovány nižší úroveň schopností a zpoždění ve zvládnutí některých dovedností (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Janečka, 2003). Sníženou úrovní rovnováž-ných schopností je také výrazně ovlivněna mobilita, která následně limituje spektrum dalších činností. ...
Article
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Pro osoby se zrakovým postižením (ZrP) je provozování pohybových aktivit v mnoha směrech náročnější. Negativní trendy současného životního stylu spojené s nevyvážeností příjmu a výdeje energie na ně však mohou doléhat ve zvýšené míře. Příležitostí k energetickému výdeji není příliš mnoho. K nejčastěji udávaným pohybovým aktivitám osob se zrakovým postižením patří chůze. Její realizace může být ale spojena s řadou problémů. Cílem studie bylo zjistit, v jaké míře se realizují objemy každodenních PA ve srovnání s pasívním odpočinkem a jsou tak součástí běžného života u osob se ZrP. Krátkou verzí dotazníku IPAQ jsme u občanů se zrakovým postižením (n = 152) v Ústeckém kraji zjišťovali ukazatele charakterizující uplatňované pohybové aktivity a inaktivity během týdne. Získaná data byla přepočítána na hodnoty MET a MET-min • týden–1. Na celkovém objemu vykazovaných aktivit během týdne (2 967 MET-min • týden–1) se značnou měrou podílí chůze (2 222 MET-min • tý den–1). Získaná data jsme se pokusili objektivizovat aplikací pedometrů, která ukázala reálně nízké objemy kroků u vybraných jedinců. Ukazuje se, že jen malá část osob se ZrP plní více zdravotně doporučovaných kriterií. Jejich životní styl může trpět přemírou sedavých aktivit, které mohou nepříznivě ovlivňovat zdraví. Doporučujeme podporovat jejich aktivitu přítomností trasérů, zlepšením v navigaci a přípravou specifických programů. Opatření vidíme také na úrovni komunální politiky.
... In recent studies documenting the physical activity status of adults with visual impairments, it has been reported that the quality (intensity) and quantity (total active time or daily step activity) of daily physical activity fall below thresholds recommended for improving health status (Holbrook et al., 2009;Marmeleira, Laranjo, Marques, & Pereira, 2014). Nonetheless, previous reports have shown that physically active individuals with visual impairments are able to maintain levels of physical fitness and mobility similar to those of age-matched sighted persons (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Colak, Bamac, Aydin, Meric, & Ozbek, 2004;Shindo, Kumagai, & Tanaka, 1987;Singh & Singh, 1993). These observations have led to speculation that the pervasive comorbidity recently documented in persons with visual impairments may be attributable to inadequate levels of physical activity. ...
Article
Background Although the pervasive comorbidity documented in adults with visual impairments may be linked to physical inactivity, little is known regarding the extent to which mobility and health status can be improved in this population. The aim of this preliminary study was to develop and implement an adaptive, community-based walking program for adults with visual impairments and to evaluate its impact on daily step activity, cardiovascular health, body composition, and lipid function. Methods During an 8-week period, 17 adults (age = 47.3 ± 12.3 years) with visual impairments were prompted at biweekly intervals (weeks 1, 3, 5) to increase their daily step activity by 1,000 steps per day and maintain these gains during weeks 2, 4, and 6. Participants were asked to sustain walking levels achieved by week 6 during the final 2 weeks of the program. Results Following the walking intervention, participants displayed a 78% increase in daily step activity (p < .01), but no improvements in cardiovascular health, body composition, or lipid function were observed. Conclusion Daily step activity was improved after completion of the walking program, but markers of health-related fitness remained unchanged. Future studies should be conducted to quantify the volume of physical activity required to improve the health status of persons with visual impairments.
... Despite global awareness and interest in physical fitness for everyone, opportunities for people with disabilities in fitness programs remain quite limited (Miller, 1995), especially in developing nations with higher dismal picture. Earlier researcher has shown that children who are impaired consistently exhibited lower levels of fitness than their sighted peers (Blessing & Mccrimmon, 1993). In the same vein, studies have regularly investigated the influence of different anthropometric dimensions and measures in relation to physical performance variable (Keogh, Hume, Pearson & Mellow, 2009). ...
... Tyto jevy obvykle vedou k zhoršování jejich zdravotního stavu a nadměrnému zatěžování zdravotních a sociálních systémů. Přitom však již u dětí se ZrP byly konstatovány nižší úroveň schopností a zpoždění ve zvládnutí některých dovedností (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Janečka, 2003;Nielsenová, 1998). Nižší je také objem času věnovaný PA (Houwen, Hartman, & Visscher, 2009). ...
Article
Full-text available
BACKGROUND: For persons with visual impairments it is more difficult in many ways to carry out physical activities. They usually have a lower level of locomotive faculties and the negative trends of contemporary lifestyle related to the imbalance in energy intake and expenditure may affect them in larger measure. AIM: The objective of this research was to find out the volume of everyday physical activities compared to the passive relaxation. METHODS: Using the questionnaire IPAQ-short, we investigated the indicators characterizing the applied physical activity and inactivity during the week of citizens with visual impairment in the Usti Region (n = 152). The acquired data was converted to values MET and MET- min. . week-1. RESULTS: We recorded low values in intense physical activities and moderate activities. In the total volume of reported activities during the week (2967 METmin. . week-1) there is an increased share of walking (2222 MET-min. . week-1). CONCLUSIONS: Only a small part of the persons with visual impairments meets more of the health recommended criteria. Their lifestyle may suffer from an excess of sedentary activities that may have an unfavorable influence on health. These manifestations appear most in the persons with the highest degree of impairment. We recommend supporting their activity by the presence of tracers, improvements in navigation and preparation of specific programs. We see the possible measures also in the municipal politics.
... Although several studies on this topic have been conducted, opinions differ on the trainability of young children because of the confounding factors of the maturation of children and the methodological design of studies (23). For example, whereas some studies report positive effects of training programs on aerobic capacity (4,32), others report little or no change after training (38). Little information is available on the effects of training in children younger than 8 years of age (23). ...
Article
The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability of physical fitness items from the European Test of Physical Fitness (Eurofit) for children with visual impairments. A sample of 21 children, ages 6-12 years, that were recruited from a special school for children with visual impairments participated. Performance on the following physical fitness items was measured on two test sessions with 4 weeks in between: sit-and-reach, standing broad jump, handgrip, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, and 20-m multistage shuttle run. The 10 x 5-m shuttle run was replaced by a 5 x 10-m shuttle run. Intraclass correlations ranged from .63 to .91, indicating moderate-to-excellent reliability. However, systematic differences between test and retest were found for the sit-and-reach, bent-arm hang, and the modified 5 x 10-m shuttle run items. The results indicate that for most items, test-retest reliability was satisfactory, but that improvements need to be made to the test protocols of the sit-and-reach, bent-arm hang, and the 5 x 10-m shuttle run items to ensure test-retest reliability.
... This can also be accompanied by the cues for each step. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that children with visual impairments can perform gross motor skills as well as their peers with sight (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993; Singh & Singh, 1993), but they just need to be given the opportunity and time (Lieberman & Haibach, in press; Lieberman, Ponchillia, & Ponchillia, 2013). Notes: Kick 1 = rapid continuous toward the ball; Kick 2 = an elongated stride or leap immediately prior to ball contact; Kick 3 = non-kicking foot placed even with or slightly in back of the ball; Kick 4 = kick the ball with the instep of preferred foot (shoelaces) or toe; Catch 1 = preparation phase where hands are in front of the body and elbows are flexed; Catch 2 = arms extend while reaching for the ball as it arrives; and Catch 3 = ball is caught by the hands only. ...
Article
The aim of this study was to provide an empirical basis for teaching gross motor skills in children with visual impairments. For this purpose, gross motor skill performance of 23, 6-12 year old, boys and girls who are blind (ICD-10 H54.0) and 28 sighted controls with comparable age and gender characteristics was compared on six locomotor and six object control tasks using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition. Results indicate that children who are blind perform significantly (p<.05) worse in all assessed locomotor and object control skills, whereby running, leaping, kicking and catching are the most affected skills, and corresponding differences are related to most running, leaping, kicking and catching component. Practical implications are provided.
... Children who are visually impaired display lower physical activity levels because of the lack of instruction and practice, their inactive lifestyles, and overprotection (Kozub & Oh, 2004;Lieberman & McHugh, 2001;Sherrill, 2004). However, it has also been demonstrated that they can attain levels of physical fitness that are comparable to those of their sighted peers (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Buell, 1974Buell, , 1982Lieberman, Stuart, Hand, & Robinson, 2006;Sherrill, 2004). ...
Article
This study examined the effect of trained peer tutors on the academic learning time-physical education (ALT-PE) scores of children with visual impairments. It found a mean increase of 20.8% for ALT-PE and increases in ALT-PE scores for closed and open skills and that trained peer tutors were more effective than were untrained peer tutors.
... Deficits observed in the overall motor development of children and adolescents with visual impairments versus their sighted peers are probably caused by the worst physical condition of the former. Children with visual disabilities have lower fitness levels (Aslan, Calic, & Kitis, 2012;Houwen, Hartman, & Visscher, 2009;Lieberman et al., 2006;Kozub & Oh, 2004;Grommo & Angellab, 2001;Lieberman & McHugh, 2001;Longmuir & Bar Or, 2000;Meek & Maguive, 1996;Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Willford, 1993) and develop less their motor skills compared to sighted children of corresponding chronological age. Similarly, deficits in children and adolescents with visual impairments that have been identified in motor skills compared with typically developed peers have emerged in previous studies as well (Atasavum, Usal, & Aki, 2012;Aki, Atasavum, & Kayihan, 2008;Juodzbaliene & Muckus, 2006;Navarro et al., 2004;Wyver & Livesey, 2003;Bouchard & Tetrault, 2000). ...
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate and investigate the relationship between motor development and self-esteem in 37 children and adolescents only with visual impairment and no other impairment, and in 37 children and adolescents with typical development. The chronological age of the participants was between 8 and 14 years old. The short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005) was used to assess the participants’ motor development. Self-esteem was measured via the Self-esteem Inventory developed by Coopersmith (1987). Statistical analysis was performed via the SPSS version 20.0. The results indicated that the children’s and adolescents with visual impairment scores on motor development and self-esteem were lower compared to those of the typical participants. In addition, the results indicated interaction between motor development and self-esteem in visually impaired participants. The present study was a necessity to be conducted, because there was a research gap and there have not been conducted similar researches in Greece and internationally. It is important for educational community to know if the motor development and self-esteem of children and adolescents with visual impairment are covariates. Keywords: visual impairment, children and adolescents, self-esteem, motor development.
... It is important to provide whatever modifications and adaptations are necessary for visually impaired students to be included in general physical education classes, and it has been demonstrated through studies done by Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall and Willford (1993); Buell (1982) ;Lieberman, Stuart, Hand and Robinson (2006);and Sherrill (2004), that students with visual impairments can attain levels of physical fitness that are comparable to those of their sighted peers. However, responses to this question from teachers and physical activities for their students indicate the same frustrations and limitations that other studies show concerning accessibility to physical education and community activities. ...
... Moreover, investigators have reported that gait problems, balance impairment, postural sway, and visual impairment are the most significant risk factors for falls (Lord & Dayhew, 2001;Rubenstein, Josephson, & Robbins, 1994). One area that has received attention from researchers of visual impairments has been physical exercisebased intervention programs (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Campbell et al., 2005;Cheung et al., 2008). ...
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Introduction: Maintaining balance while walking is of utmost importance for individuals with visual impairments because deficits in dynamic balance have been associated with a high risk of falling. Thus, the primary aim of the study presented here was to determine whether balance training effects the dynamic balance of children with visual impairments. Methods: The study included 19 children with visual impairments (aged 8 to 14) from the school for students with visual impairments in Isfahan, Iran, who were randomly assigned to a balance-training (n = 9) or control (n = 10) group. The balance-training group was required to participate in an eight-week balance-training program, while the control group did not participate in any organized balance-training program. The Modified Bass Test of Dynamic Balance was used to measure the dynamic balance of the participants. Both groups performed a pretest prior to the experimental period and performed a posttest immediately after the experimental period. Results: The scores on the pretest showed no significant difference between the balance-training group and the control group. However, after the balance-training group completed the balance-training program, a between-group difference was found in the participants' task scores, t (18) = 4.095, p less than 0.05. Discussion: The findings indicate that involvement in a balance-training program will significantly improve the dynamic balance of individuals with visual impairments relative to a control group. Implications for practitioners: The study showed that if instructors require individuals with visual impairments to perform balance-improving exercises, the result can be an outstanding improvement in their dynamic balance. With improved balance, individuals with visual impairments may encounter fewer falls and experience a healthier lifestyle. (Contains 2 figures.)
... Moreover, investigators have reported that gait problems, balance impairment, postural sway, and visual impairment are the most significant risk factors for falls (Lord & Dayhew, 2001;Rubenstein, Josephson, & Robbins, 1994). One area that has received attention from researchers of visual impairments has been physical exercisebased intervention programs (Blessing, McCrimmon, Stovall, & Williford, 1993;Campbell et al., 2005;Cheung et al., 2008). ...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction Maintaining balance while walking is of utmost importance for individuals with visual impairments because deficits in dynamic balance have been associated with a high risk of falling. Thus, the primary aim of the study presented here was to determine whether balance training effects the dynamic balance of children with visual impairments. Methods The study included 19 children with visual impairments (aged 8 to 14) from the school for students with visual impairments in Isfahan, Iran, who were randomly assigned to a balance-training (n = 9) or control (n = 10) group. The balance-training group was required to participate in an eight-week balance-training program, while the control group did not participate in any organized balance-training program. The Modified Bass Test of Dynamic Balance was used to measure the dynamic balance of the participants. Both groups performed a pretest prior to the experimental period and performed a posttest immediately after the experimental period. Results The scores on the pretest showed no significant difference between the balance-training group and the control group. However, after the balance-training group completed the balance-training program, a between-group difference was found in the participants’ task scores, t (18) = 4.095, p < .05. Discussion The findings indicate that involvement in a balance-training program will significantly improve the dynamic balance of individuals with visual impairments relative to a control group. Implications for practitioners The study showed that if instructors require individuals with visual impairments to perform balance-improving exercises, the result can be an outstanding improvement in their dynamic balance. With improved balance, individuals with visual impairments may encounter fewer falls and experience a healthier lifestyle.
... Haywood (1977) also stresses how there are types of studies that have already been researched enough, for instance studies comparing people with disability with those without. While researching developmental challenges of growing up with a visual impairment and the possible benefits of participation in physical activity (Bredahl 1997), the article with the title "The effect of regular exercise programmes for visually impaired and sighted schoolchildren" (Blessing et al. 1993) appeared. The 60 youngsters in the study (half of them with visual impairment) completed a physical test, then subsequently a 16- week training program, and finally were retested. ...
Article
This paper discusses some of the ethical aspects in research in Adapted Physical Activity (APA). It indicates some of the ethical challenges related to the choice of research problem to be investigated, and the treatment of participants, not least when working with people who are in some ways in a more vulnerable life situation. Drawing also on experiences as a researcher with a disability, the challenges and potential benefits of involving people with disabilities in APA research is critically discussed. Resumen El artículo trata sobre los aspectos éticos en la investigación de la actividad física adaptada (AFA) [Adapted Physical Activity (APA)]. Indica algunos de los desafíos éticos relacionados con la elección del problema de investigación a ser indagado y el tratamiento de los participantes, todo lo más importante cuando se trabaja con personas que, de algunas maneras, están en una situación más vulnerable. Basándome también en mis experiencias como investigadora con una discapacidad, trato críticamente los desafíos y beneficios potenciales a la hora de involucrar a gente con discapacidades en la investigación de la AFA. Zusammenfassung Dieser Aufsatz diskutiert einige ethische Aspekte der Forschung in Bezug auf Bewegung, Spiel und Sport in Prävention, Rehabilitation und Behinderung (APA = adapted physical activity). Es werden ethische Herausforderungen hervorgehoben, die sich aus der Auswahl des Forschungsgegenstandes und der Behandlung der Teilnehmer ergeben. Insbesondere ist zu berücksichtigen, dass sich die Teilnehmer zum Teil in einer verletzlicheren Lebenssituation befinden. Unter Bezug auf Erfahrungen als Forscher mit Behinderten werden die Herausforderungen und möglichen Vorteile der Einbindung von Behinderten in die APA-Forschung kritisch diskutiert.
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Bu çalışmanın amacı uluslararası dergilerde yayımlanan beden eğitimi ya da spor alanındaki görme engellilere yönelik araştırmaların sistematik bir şekilde incelenmesidir. Bu amaçla Web of Science Core Collection veritabanındaki tüm indekslerde yayımlanmış araştırmalara ait verilere ulaşılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler “Excel” ve “txt” formatlarında indirilerek analiz edilmiştir. Analizlerde yapılan araştırmaların yıllara göre sayısal anlamda ve atıf satısına göre değişimleri ile birlikte, en önde gelen yazarlar, dergiler, üniversiteler ve ülkeler doküman sayısı, atıf sayısı ve toplam bağlantı güçlerine göre incelenmiştir. Ayrıca en çok atıf alan araştırmalara ait bazı istatistiksel bilgiler ve en çok kullanılan anahtar kelimelerin ilişkisel haritası sunulmuştur. Bu alanda ilk araştırmanın 1995, en fazla araştırmanın ise 2019 yılında yapıldığı belirlenmiştir. En çok atıf alan yazarın Justin Haegele A. isimli yazar olduğu, en çok atıf alan üniversitenin Old Dominion Üniversitesi olduğu ve son olarak en çok atıf alan ülkenin Amerika Birleşik Devletleri olduğu görülmüştür. Bu alanda öne çıkan derginin Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak; görme engellilerin daha sağlıklı ve zinde olmaları, akranlarıyla birlikte beden eğitimi derslerine katılabilmeleri, görme yetersizliklerine rağmen fırsat eşitliğine sahip olmalarını konu edinen ve burada ortaya çıkan engelleri ortadan kaldıracak çözümler üreten araştırmaların alanyazında olduğu görülmüştür. [The aim of this study is to systematically examine the researches on the visually impaired in the field of physical education or sports published in international journals. For this purpose, the data of the researches published in all indexes in the Web of Science Core Collection database were accessed. The obtained data were analyzed by downloading in “Excel” and “txt” formats. The most prominent authors, journals, universities and countries were examined according to the number of documents, number of citations and total link strength, along with the changes in the studies made in the analyzes according to the years in numerical terms and according to the number of citations. In addition, some statistical information about the most cited studies and a relational map of the most used keywords are presented. It was determined that the first research in this area was done in 1995, and the most research in 2019. It was seen that the most cited author was Justin Haegele A., the most cited university was Old Dominion University, and lastly, the most cited country was the United States of America. It has been determined that the prominent journal in this field is Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. As a result; It has been observed that there are studies in the literature that focus on the visually impaired being healthier and fitter, participating in physical education classes with their peers, having equal opportunities despite their visual impairment, and producing solutions to remove the obstacles that arise here.]
Article
Introduction Physical activity is a key component of a healthy lifestyle for youths with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). This study aims to examine the habitual physical activity and sedentary time of Chinese children and adolescents with visual impairments and to determine whether age, gender, and body composition significantly influence their behavior. Methods A purposeful sample method was utilized to recruit 137 Chinese youths with visual impairments from a special school for individuals with visual and hearing impairments. A total of 72 students with visual impairments (aged 7–17 years; M age = 13.4) participated in this study. ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers were used to measure the habitual physical activity and sedentary time. Results Youths with visual impairments in this study spent an average of 287.86 (standard deviation [ SD] = 45.67) minutes of light physical activity, 146.79 ( SD = 56.95) minutes of moderate physical activity, 18.47 ( SD = 15.15) minutes of vigorous physical activity, 165.26 ( SD = 69.83) minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, and 979.51 ( SD = 109.10) minutes of sedentary time per day. Children with visual impairments in elementary school engaged in more habitual physical activity and had less sedentary time than did students in middle and high school. Differences in gender and body composition with regard to time spent being active or sedentary were insignificant. Discussion Findings demonstrated that Chinese youths with visual impairments in this study had sufficient health-enhancing physical activity and were habitually active. Future research is needed to identify the factors that account for the high habitual physical activity levels of Chinese youths with visual impairments. Implications for practitioners Transition planning for students with visual impairments to facilitate active habitual physical activity participation when children grow up is warranted.
Article
This study analyzed the current recreational practices and the barriers faced by 54 youths who are deaf-blind. The most common recreational activities were swimming, swinging, walking, climbing, and biking, and the greatest perceived barriers were the disability itself, lack of knowledge, lack of programming, lack of staff, and inadequate communication.
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PA has been shown to have benefits in SOT patients. Studies assessing physical activity levels and its correlates in a pediatric solid‐organ transplant population are limited. The aim of this study was to assess PA levels and identify baseline and contemporaneous factors that contribute to PA in a pediatric SOT population. A retrospective cross‐sectional review was performed on 58 pediatric transplant patients (16 heart, 29 kidney, and 13 liver transplant). PA was measured by PAQ‐C or PAQ‐A. Demographics, baseline, and contemporaneous factors were collected. There were no significant differences in baseline and contemporaneous characteristics between heart, kidney, and liver transplant recipients. SOT recipients were 15.2 [12.3‐17.3] years old at time of completing the PAQ. Median PAQ score was 2.2 [1.7‐2.9]. There were no significant differences in PAQ scores between organ transplant type or between genders. Lower PAQ score was associated with sensory disability (9 vs 49 without disability; P = <.01) and age at time of completing the PAQ (r = −.50, P = <.01). These results suggest that older age at time of completing the PAQ and presence of sensory disability may influence PA levels in the pediatric SOT population.
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The aims of this research to know how much impact the physical fitness program may have on the respiratory cardio fitness and body fat percentage of blind male students (16 years old). The experimental method was used on a sample of 25 blind male students at the Visually Impaired Center, in the town of Tlemcen. These students were chosen randomly. We applied the one-mile running test, and we also measured skin folds in three different areas, i.e. chest, abdomen and mid-thigh. The results obtained indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the pretests and posttests, in favor of the posttests for VO2 max and body fat percentage. It was found that it is highly recommended to pay great attention to the health of the blind and also to provide specialized professors in the field of motor activity in special centers for the visually impaired.
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Full-text available
The aims of this research to know how much impact the physical fitness program may have on the respiratory cardio fitness and body fat percentage of blind male students (16 years old). The experimental method was used on a sample of 25 blind male students at the Visually Impaired Center, in the town of Tlemcen. These students were chosen randomly. We applied the one-mile running test, and we also measured skin folds in three different areas, i.e. chest, abdomen and mid-thigh. The results obtained indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the pretests and posttests, in favor of the posttests for VO2 max and body fat percentage. It was found that it is highly recommended to pay great attention to the health of the blind and also to provide specialized professors in the field of motor activity in special centers for the visually impaired.
Article
Full-text available
The aims of this research to know how much impact the physical fitness program may have on the respiratory cardio fitness and body fat percentage of blind male students (16 years old). The experimental method was used on a sample of 25 blind male students at the Visually Impaired Center, in the town of Tlemcen. These students were chosen randomly. We applied the one-mile running test, and we also measured skin folds in three different areas, i.e. chest, abdomen and mid-thigh. The results obtained indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the pretests and posttests, in favor of the posttests for VO2 max and body fat percentage. It was found that it is highly recommended to pay great attention to the health of the blind and also to provide specialized professors in the field of motor activity in special centers for the visually impaired.
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The aim of study was to examine the effect of eight weekly aerobic exercises on auditory reaction time and maxvo2 in visual impairments. Forty visual impairment children that have blind 3 classification from the Turkey, experimental group; (age=15.60±1.10 years; height=164.15±4.88 cm; weight=66.60±4.77 kg) for twenty subject and control group; (age=15.40±1.09; height=166.30±3.87 cm; weight=65.20±3.94 kg) for twenty subject, participated as volunteer in this research. The audio reaction time in dominant hand assessments were made by Newtest 1/1000 sensitive reaction timer. This study that used the 20-m shuttle run test to estimate peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) for visual impairment children in experimental and control groups on a wooden gymnasium floor. Exercise intensity was determined according to the workload reached during the maximal graded exercise test. Reserve heart rate was calculated as the difference between peak and resting heart rate, multiplied by the intensity of exercise and added to resting heart rate, according to the Karvonen method. MaxVO2 was significantly different between experimental and control group in pre-test (P<0.05). On the other hand, auditory reaction time was insignificant differences between experimental and control grouping pre-test (P>0.05). Auditory reaction time and MaxVO2 was significantly different between pre-test and post-test in experimental group (P<0.05). On the other hand, auditory reaction time and MaxVO2was insignificant differences between pre-test and post-test in control group (P>0.05). In conclusion, regular aerobic training programs in visual-impaired ones will lead to improvements in auditory reaction time and maximal oxygen capacity and sweep their disadvantages in comparison to their peers.
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Introduction Ongoing communication with parents and the acknowledgment of their preferences and expectations are crucial to promote the participation of physical activity by children with visual impairments. Purpose The study presented here explored parents’ perceptions of physical activity for their children with visual impairments and explored barriers to physical activity. Methods The 11 parents of children with visual impairments took part in one-on-one semistructured interviews that were transcribed and then analyzed through a constant comparative analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the analysis of the data: the holistic benefits of physical activity, barriers to physical activity, and solutions to physical activity. Discussion The results revealed that the parents valued and had high expectations for physical activity for their children; however, they believed that there were multiple barriers to overcome. Implications for practitioners Adapted physical education and recreational professionals must include parents in planning and implementing physical education and physical activity programs. Infusing information about physical activity and physical education in the professional preparation of teachers of students with visual impairments is also part of this important solution. Last, preteaching basic foundational skills for movement and sports is important to ensure the participation of children with visual impairments in physical education and recreational activities later in life.
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This study compared the aerobic fitness of 10 visually impaired and 10 sighted girls who performed a discontinuous incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. It found that there was no significant difference between the peak oxygen intake of the two groups. The results indicate that visually impaired children can attain aerobic fitness levels similar to those of sighted children.
Article
This study analyzed the current recreational practices and the barriers faced by 54 youths who are deaf-blind. The most common recreational activities were swimming, swinging, walking, climbing, and biking, and the greatest perceived barriers were the disability itself, lack of knowledge, lack of programming, lack of staff, and inadequate communication.
Article
This study tested 46 children with visual impairments (26 girls and 20 boys) on the Fitnessgram health-related fitness test. It found that fewer than 20% of the children with visual impairments passed at least four items on the Fitnessgram, compared to 48%-70% of the sighted children.
Article
This study analyzed the passing rates on five health-related fitness items on the Brockport Physical Fitness Test of youths aged 10-17 with visual impairments. It found that the youths had low passing rates on upper-body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and body composition.
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Background: Few researchers have examined shoulder strength in different overhead athletes with and without impingement symptoms. To compare internal and external rotation isokinetic peak torque, average torque, average power and fatigue index at different speeds in different overhead athletes. Methods: 80 male athletes from swimming, badminton, handball and cricket were taken in 2 groups, injured(with impingement) and normal(without impingement) (40 in both groups) between the age group 20-30 years {mean normal group (24.9±2.19), injured group (25.63±1.6)}, with participation in university, state and national level sporting competitions were included, 10 from each sport. Result: We measured concentric peak torque, average torque, average power, fatigue index of internal and external rotators of the shoulder at speeds of 60 and 120 Radians/sec. Swimmers have the highest values for the outcome variables in both injured and normal groups. Significant group differences are present in the normal group indicating training adaptations for the specific sports. Between the injured and normal groups there are significant differences, showing that impingement affects muscular balance. In the injured athletic group, group differences are significant only for external rotator average torque at higher speed (p=0.03). Conclusions: differences in between the groups appear to be related more to injury prevalence than to absolute strength. Shoulder dysfunction related to strength deficits also may exist in adult male overhead athletes. Intergroup differences in normal subjects are due to the training adaptations of the respective sports. Preventive shoulder strengthening programs focused on external rotators strength at higher speeds may be warranted for all overhead athletes. Key words: isokinetic shoulder rotations, impingement, overhead athletes.
Article
The aim of this study was to examine the different ways in which visually impaired and deaf-blind people can be motivated to perform regular physical exercises through the use of a physical training programme. The programme was designed for visually impaired and deaf-blind people with the aim of reducing their most common physical problems: those of balance, posture, coordination, tense neck and shoulder muscles, and loss of spinal rotation and reciprocal arm swing. Twenty-seven participants (23 visually impaired, 4 deaf-blind; mean age 54 years, range 31 to 75) participated in a 5—6 week physical training programme (three 60-minute sessions per week) in four groups. Twenty-four participants completed the programme, 12 of whom had a `physically active' lifestyle and 12 a `sedentary' lifestyle. After the intervention, the participants assessed the effect of it through a questionnaire. Drawing upon their responses, three different indicators were examined further: physical condition, mental state and balance. All except one of the 24 participants who completed the programme reported that at least one of these indicators had improved.
Article
The purpose of this study was to examine barriers perceived by teachers when including students with visual impairments in general physical education. Teachers (52 males, 96 females) who had children with visual impairments in their physical education classes were surveyed prior to in-service workshop participation. The most prevalent barriers were professional preparation, equipment, programming, and time. A logistic regression analysis, regressing gender, in-service training, number of students with visual impairments taught, masters degree attained, masters hours spent on visual impairments (yes or no), undergraduate hours spent on visual impairments (yes or no), and years of experience failed to indicate significant predictors of professional preparation as a barrier, Model x2 (6, n = 148) = 4.48, p > .05.
Article
Cardiovascular endurance training (CVET), or continuous, whole-body activity involving a major portion of the total muscle mass, is suggested as a positive and feasible activity for blind persons. Evidence is presented that supports CVET as an agent capable of 1) producing adequate levels of physical fitness, 2) reducing to some degree the probability of coronary heart disease, and 3) reducing the effects of the state of anxiety accompanying unguided blind mobility. A program of chair stepping, which may be implemented as a progressive and productive CVET regimen, is described.
Article
In a preliminary study on the relationship between visual handicap and physical fitness, the Kraus-Weber Minimum Physical Fitness Test for children was administered to 111 normally sighted, partially sighted, and blind students in the Detroit public schools. Whereas 95 percent of the normally sighted children and 84 percent of the partially sighted children passed the test, only 46 percent of the blind students did so. Suggestions for preventing or correcting this secondary disability are offered.
Article
The aim of the study was to determine whether blind children in a well-equipped modern institution are receiving enough physical education activities to maintain good physical condition. Toward this end, the physiological characteristics of 20 institutionalized blind children were measured according to body composition, pulmonary function, and tolerance for exercise. The volunteer sample was characterized by 'creeping overweight,' weak upper limbs, and a low aerobic capacity. No clinical or physiological contraindications to vigorous physical exercise were observed.
Article
Part I of this book on physical education for the visually handicapped deals with what physical educators and recreation specialists should know about blindness. Examples are given of athletic accomplishments of visually impaired or sightless athletes. Prevailing misconceptions and attitudes about blindness are discussed, and the importance of positive attitudes on the part of the family as well as of the teacher are emphasized. It is pointed out that the abilities, not the disabilities, of blind persons are the bases for building suitable athletic programs. Federal mandates on opportunities for the handicapped are outlined and clarified. Facts about blindness are presented including definitions of blindness, causes of blindness, and available aids for the blind and visually impaired. In part II, activities for visually handicapped children are discussed. Included in this presentation are suggestions on evaluation and physical fitness, special equipment and teaching methods, activity programs, national sports organizations for the blind, and recreational opportunities for the visually handicapped. A selected annotated bibliography is included in the third part. (JD)
Article
The Project UNIQUE Physical Fitness Test was administered to 686 normally sighted and 484 visually impaired Ss (aged 10–17 yrs). The severity of the visual impairment was a significant factor on the 2 running items. Partially sighted Ss made better scores than legally blind Ss on the 50-yd dash and long-distance run. No significant differences between partially sighted and blind Ss were found for the nonrunning items in the test batteries. Findings suggest that, depending on the purpose of the assessment, physical fitness test scores of the visually impaired generally should be compared to specially designed norms and that, on the running items, separate norms should be used for the blind and partially sighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Article
The effects of 10 wk of exercise training at low (40% VO2max) or high (75% VO2max) intensity on serum lipids and lipoproteins were compared in prepubescent boys and adult men. The final sample size consisted of: 8 boys (mean +/- SE age = 8.5 +/- 1.96 yr) and 8 men (36.6 +/- 3.18 yr) in low; 12 boys (8.0 +/- 1.40 yr) and 12 men (36.6 +/- 4.09 yr) in high; and 10 boys (9.0 +/- 2.08 yr) and 10 men (36.7 +/- 4.82 yr) in control. Training involved walking/jogging/running 3 d X wk-1 at a distance which progressed from 2.4 km X d-1 in the first week to 4.8 km X d-1 from the fifth week. Fasting blood samples, collected on 2 d during both pre- and post-training, were assayed for triglycerides, total cholesterol (CHOL), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Maximum aerobic power (VO2max) was determined from a treadmill test. Additionally, dietary intake was assessed from a 3-d dietary record and body composition from the sum of 6 skinfolds. The only statistically significant (P less than 0.05) changes occurred in HDL-C and CHOL for the high groups. HDL-C decreased following training. CHOL was lower for high than the other groups for the first day post-training only. There were no differences in the changes in HDL-C/CHOL ratio among the groups. VO2max only increased in the high groups. Dietary intake and body weight did not change. Further statistical adjustment in lipids for changes in sum of 6 skinfolds did not alter the results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Article
Longitudinal study of patterns of gross motor development in a group of 10 infants, blind from birth and otherwise intact, showed: (1) neuromuscular maturation and postural achievements appeared within the Bayley age ranges for sighted infants; (2) self-initiated mobility and locomotion were delayed. From our related prehension studies we understood this delay to be associated with the normally late adaptive substitution of sound for sight as incentive for mobility. An intervention program that focused on human relationships, adaptive hand behavior, and coordination of tactile and auditory schemas resulted in advances in mobility for this group in comparison with another similar blind group.
Modifying motor behavior of blind children for participation in sport and physical activity.
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Yearbook of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • R L Welsh
Self-modification technique for the control of eating behavior for the visually handicapped.
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Physical education and recreation for the visually handicapped
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