Health-Related Fitness of Children who are Visually Impaired

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.

The National Sports Education Camps Project: Introducing Sports Skills to Students with Visual Impairments through Short-term Specialized Instruction

The National Sports Education Camps Project (NSEC), a joint partnership between Western Michigan University and the United States Association of Blind Athletes, provides short-term interventions to teach sports to children with visual impairments. A study comparing 321 students with visual impairments, ranging in age from 8 to 19 years, before and after they participated in the camp found that they knew more about sports, were able to jump and throw farther, held more positive attitudes, and were more likely to become involved in local sports activities. Benefits of short-term specialized programming and implications for practice were also examined.

Beliefs about Physical Activity among Children who are Visually Impaired and their Parents

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.

Health-Related Fitness of Youths with Visual Impairments

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.

Physical activity, body composition, and well-being of school children and youths with visual impairments in Germany

The study compares levels of physical activity, body composition values, and emotional well-being of school-age children and youths with visual impairments ( n = 115) in specialized schools with those of sighted children ( n = 118) in mainstream schools. The methodology included pedometers, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the WHO-Five Well-being Index. In all relevant parameters, students with visual impairments achieved results comparable to those of sighted students, and the degree of visual impairment did not correlate significantly with the parameters. The results confirm the positive effects and the importance of physical activity for students with visual impairments. High levels of physical activity are possible which provide health-related benefits for children and youths with visual impairments.

Physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition among children and young adults with visual impairments: A systematic review

The aim of the review was to evaluate current evidence-based knowledge about physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition among children and young adults with visual impairments. A systematic literature review of articles published between January 1984 and April 2014 inclusive was conducted. The participants were in the age range of 5–22 years. A total of 29 publications met the inclusion criteria. In general, the findings revealed lower levels of participation in physical activity, poorer physical fitness, and higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among children with visual impairments compared to children with no reported visual impairments. Lack of longitudinal observational studies and randomized clinical trials reduced the possibilities to draw cause–effect conclusions. However, the 23 cross-sectional studies confirmed that young adults with visual impairment may need more physical activity to become fitter and have a healthier body composition. Furthermore, low physical activity may influence higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and young adults with vision loss.

The effect of gender and level of vision on the physical activity level of children and adolescents with visual impairment

This study was planned in order to determine physical activity levels of visually impaired children and adolescents and to investigate the effect of gender and level of vision on physical activity level in visually impaired children and adolescents. A total of 30 visually impaired children and adolescents (16 low vision and 14 blind) aged between 8 and 16 years participated in the study. The physical activity level of cases was evaluated with a physical activity diary (PAD) and one-mile run/walk test (OMR-WT). No difference was found between the PAD and the OMR-WT results of low vision and blind children and adolescents. The visually impaired children and adolescents were detected not to participate in vigorous physical activity. A difference was found in favor of low vision boys in terms of mild, moderate activities and OMR-WT durations. However, no difference was found between physical activity levels of blind girls and boys. The results of our study suggested that the physical activity level of visually impaired children and adolescents was low, and gender affected physical activity in low vision children and adolescents.