Physical activity patterns of adults with visual impairments

• Published in: The British journal of visual impairment 2017-05, Vol.35 (2), p.130-142
• Main Authors: Starkoff, Brooke E, Lenz, Elizabeth K, Lieberman, Lauren J, Foley, John, Too, Danny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0264-6196; 1744-5809
• DOI: 10.1177/0264619617691080

This study examined physical activity (PA) patterns in adults with visual impairments (VI) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, assessing moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A total of 115 individuals (age: 36.1 ± 13.9 years, body mass index [BMI]: 28 ± 6.9 kg/m2) with VI completed the study. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed on VI (B1, B2, B3, and B4), collapsed VI (blind [B1] vs VI [B2–B4]), gender, and BMI across PA. A 2 × 4 factor ANOVA examined the impact of gender and BMI on PA. B2 walked more than B1 (p = .021) and walk time was less in B1 (p = .021) than VI. Males accumulated more MPA (p = .002) and MVPA (p = .008), and a greater percentage of males acquired recommended PA (p = .008). Overweight participants acquired more VPA than normal-weight participants (p = .020). A main effect for gender (p = .000) and interaction between gender and BMI (p = .049) were identified with MPA. Differences in PA based on VI may be a result of barriers specific to B1, suggesting the need for education in this population.