Level of physical activity and perceived barriers to its practice in adults with visual impairment

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess level of physical activity, perception of barriers to practice, and stages of behavior change in visually impaired individuals of an inland city in the State of Paraná. The participants were 40 individuals with visual impairment (37.5% blind and 62.5% with low vision) of both sexes (57.5% men) aged 21-69 years (mean age 39.52 years; ± 17.58 for men and 39.88 years; ± 14.96 for women). Participants were assessed in only one moment, through three questionnaires (perception of barriers to physical activity, International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IPAQ)short version, and stages of behavior change). According to the IPAQ results, a prevalence of 70% of physical inactivity was found. The main barriers mentioned by the interviewees were "lack of support from family and/or friends", "physical limitations" and "bad mood". In relation to the questionnaire of stages of behavior change, 50% of the subjects were in the preparation stage. The study concludes that the level of physical activity in the visually impaired is low and the main causes of this can be motivational, lack of physical fitness and psychological. RESUMOO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o nível de atividade física, a percepção de barreiras para a prática e os estágios de mudança de comportamento em deficientes visuais de um município do interior do Paraná. Participaram deste estudo 40 indivíduos com deficiência visual (37,5% cegos e 62,5% com baixa visão), de ambos os sexos (57, 5% homens) com idade entre 21 e 69 anos (média de 39,52 anos; ± 17,58 para os homens e 39,88; ± 14,96 para as mulheres). Os participantes foram avaliados em apenas um momento, por meio de três questionários (percepção de barreiras para atividade física, Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) versão curta e estágios de mudança de comportamento). Conforme os resultados do IPAQ, mostra-se uma prevalência de 70% de inatividade física. As barreiras que mais se destacaram nos entrevistados foram "falta de incentivo da família e/ou amigos", "limitações físicas" e "mau humor". Em relação ao questionário de estágios de mudança de comportamento, 50% dos avaliados estão no estágio de preparação. O estudo conclui que o nível de atividade física em deficientes visuais é baixo e as principais causas podem ser motivacionais, falta de aptidão e psicológicas.Palavras-chave: Atividade física; Transtornos da visão; Comportamento.

Access to exercise for people with visual impairments during the Coronavirus-19 pandemic

“…The extreme variation in IPAQ-SF scores also prevented the data from being conclusive. While others have reported successful uses of the IPAQ-SF for people with blindness or visual impairments (Matoso & Portela, 2020;Sadowska & Krzepota, 2015), the estimations of MET that the IPAQ-SF provides are not without fault. A systematic review found it to be a weak measure of total physical activity and to often overestimate the amount of physical activity compared to more objective measures (Lee et al, 2011).…”

“…Similarly, it may be possible to make the argument that those who regularly participated in exercise prior to Coronavirus-19 could not maintain exercise easily without the existing support systems on which they relied. As previously noted, people with blindness and visual impairments have reduced access to exercise (Capella-McDonnall, 2007; Matoso & Portela, 2020), and prior to lockdown, some of these factors included lack of disability-specific support, such as gyms and exercise classes being unable to cater to those with low or no vision. For individuals who did manage to exercise at gyms or classes, the closure of these places during the pandemic greatly hindered access and social distancing during outdoor exercise created further barriers.…”

“…It is well documented that exercise is not only beneficial for physical health (Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Ito, 2019; Ness et al, 2007) but it also has a vast number of psychological and social benefits (Penedo & Dahn, 2005; Raglin, 1990; Ruby et al, 2011). While many individuals struggle to exercise due to a variety of time, financial, and motivational reasons (Ebben & Brudzynski, 2008; Tappe et al, 1989), people with blindness and visual impairments have added barriers to exercise on top of those faced by the general population (Capella-McDonnall, 2007; Matoso & Portela, 2020). Prior research into exercise participation for populations with blindness and visually impairments suggests that some exhibit comorbidity with symptoms related to insufficient exercise, such as hypertension, obesity, and depression (Mann et al, 2014; Shields et al, 2012).…”

Prevalência de barreiras para a prática de atividade física no tempo livre em pacientes com hipertensão arterial

“…Para as análises, os respondentes "não" (pré-contemplação, contemplação e preparação) foram agrupados como "não ativos" e os respondentes "sim" (ação e manutenção) foram agrupados como "ativos". Esta categorização está em conformidade com procedimentos adotados em estudos prévios [19][20][21] .…”