Physical activity patterns of adults with visual impairments

Starkoff, Brooke E.; Lenz, Elizabeth K.; Lieberman, Lauren J.; Foley, John T.; Too, Danny

doi:10.1177/0264619617691080

Cited by 23 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The use of the guide dog to run can also improve the health of the guide dog as it has the opportunity to exercise on a regular basis. These findings support the research that says we need to find additional opportunities to improve the health of adults who are blind (Schliermann et al, 2016; Starkoff et al, 2017), which can be in part provided by the increased health opportunities enabled through trained running guide dogs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Individuals with visual impairments or blindness display low levels of physical activity and lead less active lifestyles than their sighted counterparts (Griffin, Smith, Howe, & Phoenix, 2016; Marmeleira, Laranjo, Marques, & Pereira, 2014; Starkoff, Lenz, Lieberman, Foley, & Too, 2017). The reasons for this can be attributed to a lack in knowledge of opportunities, decreased experiences, as well as lack of confidence (Allender, Cowburn, & Foster, 2006; Haegele, Zhu, Lee, & Lieberman, 2016; Stuart, Lieberman, & Hand, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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“We now fly”: Perspectives of adults who are blind with guide dogs trained for running

Lieberman¹,

Beach²,

Sherwood

et al. 2019

British Journal of Visual Impairment

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Individuals with visual impairments lead less active lifestyles than their sighted counterparts. Reduced physical activity in this population can be attributed to a lack of opportunities combined with fewer intervention opportunities, less experience in sport and recreational activities, and decreased perceived motor competence. Furthermore, individuals with visual impairments report lower values in all domains of quality of life when compared with their sighted counterparts. Therefore, it is imperative that opportunities are developed to increase self-determination leading to higher levels of physical activity for individuals with visual impairments. Running is a popular physical activity for active individuals; however, there are many barriers to running for individuals with visual impairments. To increase these opportunities, a school for guide dogs has recently started training guide dogs to run. The purpose of this study was to determine the perspectives of adults with visual impairments on their experiences running with trained running guide dogs. Ten adults who are blind were interviewed on phone by two researchers. Qualitative research questions were validated by two adults who are blind, three specialists in adapted physical education, and one guide dog trainer. Interviews were transcribed, and themes were extracted by three of the authors. The four major themes that emerged from this research study were (1) running guide dogs’ contribution to mental and physical health, (2) independence as a result of running with a guide dog, (3) The dog is key to increased/improved running, and (4) barriers and supporters to running. Our results indicate that there are numerous positive effects that a running guide dog has on the health, independence, and quality of life of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The results indicated that making running guide dogs available could provide increased self-determination for adults who choose to take advantage of this program leading to a healthier lifestyle.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“We now fly”: Perspectives of adults who are blind with guide dogs trained for running

Lieberman¹,

Beach²,

Sherwood

et al. 2019

British Journal of Visual Impairment

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“…Practicing regular exercise is a beneficial behaviour in maintaining adequate mental and physical health (Barbosa, Andrade, Pelegrini, & Felden, 2019). Persons with disability generally presents lower level of physical activity compared with population without disabilities (Rimmer & Marques, 2012;Engel-Yeger & Hamed-Daher, 2013;Starkoff, Lenz, Lieberman, Foley, & Too, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement Activities And Quality Of Life Of Visually Impaired Students

Maniu¹

2020

European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences

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“…Deficits of visual stimuli substantially affect the involvement in physical activity (Holbrook, Caputo, Perry, Fuller, & Morgan, 2009; Starkoff, Lenz, Lieberman, Foley, & Too, 2017) and maintenance of a healthy diet (Bilyk, Sontrop, Chapman, Barr, & Mamer, 2009; Ryan, Anas, Beamer, & Bajorek, 2003). Physical activity is limited because of social barriers, due to relationships with other people during physical activity (Shapiro, Moffett, Lieberman, & Dummer, 2005); safety concerns, due to anxiety and overprotective attitudes of close family (Lieberman & McHugh, 2001); and internal barriers resulting from personality traits (Morelli, Folmer, Foley, & Lieberman, 2011; Stuart, Lieberman, & Hand, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Lifestyles of People with Visual Impairments on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers

Gawlik¹,

Zwierzchowska

Rosołek

2019

Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify selected cardiometabolic risk markers and determine their correlation with lifestyles of adults with visual impairments. Methods: The study randomly selected 49 people with visual impairments (25 women and 24 men) aged 17–84 years (mean age 58.5 years). Body build, composition metrics, biochemical parameters, level of physical activity, and eating habits were evaluated. Results: Excessive body mass was found in 65% of respondents (72% women and 58% men). Above-typical blood total cholesterol levels were found in 52% of women and 42% of men, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in 33% of men and 20% of women, triglyceride levels in 16% of women and 17% of men and glucose in 56% of women and 42% of men. Reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found in 25% of men and 20% of women. Results showed that 43% of respondents were not involved in physical activity at the recommended level. The use of nicotine was declared by 18% of respondents. No significant correlations were observed for the relationships between physical activity and somatic and biochemical parameters. Eating habits had a significant effect on the prevalence of above-typical LDL cholesterol levels, whereas smoking led to significant differences between study participants due to body mass index and fat percentage. Discussion: Lifestyles of individuals with visual impairments were not entirely healthy. Due to the characteristics of the disability, people with visual impairments are challenged with barriers to living healthy lifestyles. Implications for practitioners: The information obtained here can be used to implement adequate measures to provide equal opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to lead healthy lifestyles and improve their quality of life.

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Physical activity patterns of adults with visual impairments

Cited by 23 publications

References 46 publications

“We now fly”: Perspectives of adults who are blind with guide dogs trained for running

“We now fly”: Perspectives of adults who are blind with guide dogs trained for running

Movement Activities And Quality Of Life Of Visually Impaired Students

Effects of Lifestyles of People with Visual Impairments on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers

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