Physical activity practice among children and adolescents with visual impairment--influence of parental support and perceived barriers.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the practice of physical activity among children and adolescents with visual impairments (VI), regarding the possible influence of parental support and perceived barriers.


METHODS
Twenty-two young people with VIs (10 + 2.74 years old) and one of each of their parents were evaluated. They responded to the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), Baecke Questionnaire, the Parental Support Scale and a questionnaire about perceived barriers to physical activity. The independent samples t-test, pearson correlation test and chi-square test were performed.


RESULTS
Blind young people showed lower physical activity levels. There were significant correlations both between parents' physical activity and the support offered to children and between the PAQ-C results and the importance given by young people to physical activity, but only for those aged between 8 and 10 years old. The main perceived barriers were lack of security, motivation, professional training and information about available physical activity programs.


CONCLUSIONS
The influence of parental support seems to be an important factor in the adoption of a physically active lifestyle for young people with VI. Parents and children should have more information about the benefits and opportunities of physical activity. Implications for Rehabilitation Young people with visual impairment should be encouraged by parents to practice physical activity. More information should be provided on the benefits of physical activity to both parents and children. Professional training should be available to help support this group become more active.
Department of Sport Science, State University of Londrina, Center of Physical Education and Sport , Londrina, Paraná , Brazil and.
Márcia
M
Greguol
Erica
E
Gobbi
Attilio
A
Carraro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
Blindness; parenting; parents; physical activity; physical exercise; visual impairment; young people