Calibration and validation of the Physical Activity Barrier Scale for persons who are blind or visually impaired

Disability Type and Constraints to Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Türkiye

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the effect of disability type on perceived physical activity (PA) constraints. Investigating the leisure-time PA constraint differences across disability groups would increase the possibility of PA participation, and reverse the physical inactivity trend for disabled populations.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose was to examine perceived PA constraint differences between individuals with 3 different disability types, which are visual, hearing, and physical disabilities.

METHODS

The study sample comprised 305 individuals with a visual disability, 203 individuals with a physical disability, and 144 individuals with hearing loss. Leisure Time PA Constraints Scale-Disabled Individuals Form, consisting of 32 items and 8 subscales, was used as for data collection. Data were analyzed with a 3 × 2 two-way multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Findings indicated a significant main effect of the disability group (Pillai V = 0.025; F16,639 = 10.132, P < .001, η2 = .112), gender (Pillai V = 0.250; F8,639 = 2.025, P < .05, η2 = .025), and interaction between the disability group and gender (Pillai V = 0.069; F161,280 = 2.847, P < .001, η2 = .034). The follow-up analyses of variance indicated significant differences in facility quality, social environment, family, willpower, time, and ability perception scores between disability groups, P < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

People with different disabilities have different perceived leisure-time PA barriers with respect to environmental, social, and psychological factors; generally, disabled females perceived more barriers to leisure-time PA. Policies and intervention protocols for disabled individuals should directly address the disability-specific need of individuals to increase leisure-time PA participation.

Self-Monitoring Physical Activity, Diet, and Weight Among Adults Who Are Legally Blind: Exploratory Investigation

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a global pandemic. Lifestyle approaches have been shown effective for weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Central to these evidence-based approaches are increased physical activity, decreased caloric intake, regular self-weighing, and the tracking of these behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

This exploratory descriptive study surveyed adults who are legally blind to identify strategies related to tracking physical activity, diet, and weight. These health behaviors are essential components to evidence-based weight loss programs. We also identified areas where we can better support adults who are legally blind in their independent efforts to change these behaviors and improve their health.

METHODS

Participants (≥18 years of age) who self-identified as being legally blind were recruited using email announcements in low vision advocacy groups. They completed an interviewer-administered survey on the telephone and an in-person visit for standardized assessment of height and weight.

RESULTS

The participants (N=18) had an average age of 31.2 (SD 13.4) years; 50% (9/18) had normal weight (BMI 18.5 to <25); 44% (8/18) were female; 44% (8/18) were Black; and 39% (7/18) were Non-Hispanic White. Most participants (16/18, 89%) used their smartphone to access the internet daily, and 67% (12/18) had at least 150 mins of exercise per week. Although 78% (14/18) of the participants indicated tracking their weight, only 61% (11/18) could indicate how they tracked their weight, and 22% (4/18) indicated they tracked it mentally. Providing individuals with a talking scale was the most consistent recommendation (12/18, 67%) to facilitate independence in managing weight through lifestyle changes. Even though 50% (9/18) of the participants indicated using an app or electronic notes to track some portion of their diet, participants reported challenges with determining portion size and corresponding calorie counts. Most participants (17/18, 94%) reported using apps, electronic notes, smartphones, or wearable devices to track their physical activity. Although strategies such as using wearables and smartphones could provide measurements (eg, step counts) as well as recording data, they also pose financial and technology literacy barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology-based solutions were identified for tracking weight, diet, and physical activity for weight management. These strategies have financial and technology literacy barriers. A range of strategies for adopting and tracking health behaviors will be needed to assist individuals with varying skills and life experiences.

Survey on Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life in Visually Impaired Individuals: Dancesport vs. Other Sound Input-Based Sports

Sport practice has the widely demonstrated potential of promoting well-being and physical/mental health, especially in disabled individuals. Nowadays, visually impaired people can participate in several sports commonly adapted and played substituting visual input with auditory or tactile ones. By integrating movement and music, dance can simultaneously promote physical and emotional involvement and enhances vicarious sense recruitment. On these premises, we performed a survey to assess the psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL) in visually impaired athletes, comparing dancesport vs other sound input-based sports. Twenty-one visually impaired dancers and twenty-seven visually impaired athletes practicing adapted baseball, showdown, blind futsal, or blind tennis completed a structured self-report survey including the Italian version of PWB-18 scale and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. Dancers reported significantly higher scores in PWB-18 autonomy, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance along with a higher PWB total score than the other athlete group. Similarly, the SF-12 questionnaire results demonstrated significantly higher scores in both physical and mental QoL of visually impaired dancers compared with other athletes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that, given its peculiarities, the practice of dancesport may have a stronger positive impact on PWB and QoL of visually impaired individuals than other sound input-based sports.

Correlates of Physical Activity among Adults with Sight Loss in High-Income-Countries: A Systematic Review

Background: Physical activity (PA) is essential for almost all facets of health; however, research suggests that PA levels among populations with sight loss are critically low. The aim of this review was to identify the correlates of PA among people with sight loss in high income countries, to inform future interventions and policies. Methods: MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, The British Journal of Visual Impairment, The Journal of Visual Impairment and grey literature were searched for studies which reported correlates of PA among adults with sight loss. The protocol is available from PROSPERO (CRD42020215596). Results: A total of 29 articles were eligible for review. Evidence from multiple studies reported that the vision impairment category, worse visual acuity, bilateral visual field loss, worse contrast sensitivity, those of the female gender, low self-efficacy, and environmental barriers were associated with lower levels of PA among populations with sight loss. Conclusions: Overall, correlates of PA among people with sight loss in high income countries are complex and vary across different population groups. Health professionals, eye care, and sight loss services should work together to identify people at risk of low PA, and provide a range of services and interventions to influence the modifiable factors that are associated with low PA.

Factor Structure of the Barriers to Physical Activity Scale for Youth With Visual Impairments

Youth with visual impairments (VIs) often experience unique barriers to physical activity compared with their sighted peers. A psychometrically sound scale for assessing barriers to physical activity for youth with VI is needed to facilitate research. The purpose of this study was to confirm the ability of the previously identified three-factor structure of the Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire for youth with Visual Impairments (PABQ-VI) to produce scores considered to be valid and reliable that perform equally well across age, VI severity, and gender. Our results supported the three-factor structure and that the PABQ-VI produces scores considered valid and reliable. Mean, variance, and correlation differences were found in personal, social, and environmental barriers for age and VI severity, but not gender. Researchers can use the PABQ-VI to test and evaluate ways to reduce barriers for this population.

Barriers, Expectancy-Value Beliefs, and Physical Activity Engagement Among Adults With Visual Impairments

The purpose of this inquiry was to examine the relationship between barriers to physical activity, expectancy-value variables, and physical activity engagement among adults with visual impairments. Using a descriptive correlational approach, a sample of 214 adults with visual impairments (Mage = 43.14, SD = 13.67) completed questionnaires pertaining to barriers to physical activity, expectancy-value beliefs about physical activity, and physical activity engagement. Data were analyzed via correlation and hierarchical regression. The final regression model explained 20.30% of variance in physical activity (p < .001). Intrinsic value (β = 0.26, p = .01) and expectancy beliefs (β = 0.33, p < .001) each emerged as significant predictors of physical activity engagement, which suggests that expectancy-value theory may have some utility for investigating the physical activity engagement of individuals with visual impairments. However, the lack of significant contribution of other variables such as attainment and utility values, as well as barriers factors, underscores the need for additional research in this area.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Goal Orientation Scales in Ecuadorian Undergraduate Students

The present study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Goal orientation Scales (GOS; Skaalvik, 1997) in a sample of 2,170 Ecuadorian undergraduate students (M = 21. 97, SD = 3.61; 61.6% female). The Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the four-factor structure of the GOS, and the scale exhibited an adequate factorial invariance for gender. The multidimensional Rasch analysis revealed that one item showed misfit, and the distribution of items did not correspond well with the levels of achievement goals. The current research addresses a formal gap related to the validation of the GOS in a Latin American country and provides advanced psychometric information to further improve the scale for its application to Spanish-speaking samples.

Perceived barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in people with knee osteoarthritis: Development of the Evaluation of the Perception of Physical Activity questionnaire

BACKGROUND

The physical activity (PA) level of individuals with knee osteoarthritis is lower than in the general population. International recommendations recommend a non-pharmacological intervention including a self-management education program, weight loss and an adapted exercise program. However, we have no scale assessing the perceived barriers to and facilitators of PA in this population.

OBJECTIVE

We constructed and validated a self-administered questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to and facilitators of regular practice of PA in people with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews identified 24 barriers and facilitators. We developed a 24-item questionnaire, Evaluation of the Perception of Physical Activity (EPPA) that was completed by 548 individuals with knee osteoarthritis, to assess acceptability, construct validity, internal consistency and convergent validity. Participants also completed the Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOFBeQ), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Reliability and sensitivity to change were evaluated in a second group of 168 people with knee osteoarthritis at a 3-week spa therapy resort.

RESULTS

Factorial analysis identified 17 items grouped into 4 subscales (Barriers, Facilitators, Motivation and Beliefs). The internal consistency was good for Barriers, Facilitators and Motivation subscales (Cronbach α>0.70) and intermediate for the Beliefs subscale (Cronbach α=0.64). The EPPA subscale scores were significantly correlated with KOFBeQ and WOMAC scores but not associated with IPAQ physical activity level. Reliability was good for all subscales, with intraclass correlation coefficients>0.60. A sensitivity to change was found for only the Beliefs subscale, with a moderate effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

The EPPA questionnaire has good psychometric properties and can help guide the management of knee osteoarthritis. It can be used in research for evaluating the perception of physical activity.

Expectancy-value beliefs, identity, and physical activity among adults with visual impairments

PURPOSE

Physical activity plays a key role in health promotion and disease prevention, yet individuals with visual impairments do not generally engage in sufficient physical activity. The purpose of this study was to explore the expectancy-value beliefs, identity beliefs, and physical activity engagement among individuals with visual impairments.

METHOD

This investigation utilized a qualitative descriptive approach and was situated within the framework of expectancy-value theory. Eight adults (aged 21-34; five women and three men) participated in semi-structured, audio recorded interviews. Transcribed interviews and associated interview notes were thematically analyzed using a five-step process.

RESULTS

Three interrelated themes emerged from the data: (a) "I feel better. I feel healthier": The importance of physical activity and sport, (b) "Maybe I will make a goal, maybe I won't": Perceived confidence in physical activity, and (c) "I have to decide if it's really worth it": Barriers to participation. Interpreted through the lens of expectancy-value theory, the themes reflect the complex relationship between participants' feelings of identity and ability, their perceived value of physical activity and sport, and the drawbacks to participation.

CONCLUSION

Further examination using the expectancy-value model is necessary to better understand and support the physical activity needs of this population.Implications for rehabilitationResults of the study indicated that adults with visual impairments believed that physical activity was important for health and enjoyment, but reported experiencing barriers to physical activity participation.Adults with visual impairments reported varying levels of confidence in their ability to be successful at physical activity and sport across different activity contexts and at different periods in their lives.Accessible equipment and facilities are needed to alleviate barriers to physical activity experienced by adults with visual impairments.Rehabilitation professionals should design appropriate, community-based programing to better include individuals with visual impairments in physical activity and exercise settings.

Physical Activity, Self-efficacy and Health-related Quality of Life among Adults with Visual Impairments

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between self-efficacy for exercise, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with visual impairments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults with visual impairments were invited via email through two visual impairment organizations in the United States to complete four questionnaires: (a) the international physical activity questionnaire-short form, (b) the self-efficacy to exercise behaviors scale, (c) the medical outcomes study short form health survey, and (d) a demographic questionnaire. One hundred fifty-nine participants (Mage = 44.77) provided complete surveys for analyses. Data were analyzed using three components: (a) a descriptive analysis, (b) a confirmatory factor analysis, and (c) a test of a hypothesized structural model.

RESULTS

Both self-efficacy and HRQoL were tenable among this population with two item removals. Self-efficacy had a direct association (β = 0.26), and an indirect association (β = 0.17) with HRQoL which was mediated by participants' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MVPA was positively associated with psychological health (β = 0.17), but not with physical health.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that self-efficacy can both directly and indirectly, through MVPA, influence HRQoL among adults with visual impairments. This study supports the utilization of self-efficacy based interventions to promote physical activity and thus impact HRQoL among adults with visual impairments.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAdults with visual impairments tend to report lower health-related quality of life than peers without visual impairments.In this study, physical activity shows promise as an effective means to improving psychological health-related quality of life for adults with visual impairments.In this study, self-efficacy directly and indirectly, through physical activity, influences health-related quality of life for adults with visual impairments.Results support the utilization of self-efficacy based physical activity interventions to enhance physical activity and health-related quality of life among adults with visual impairments.

Psychological well-being and quality of life in visually impaired baseball players: An Italian national survey

Italian baseball played by visually impaired and blind athletes is an adapted team sport which maintains the peculiar fast-moving features of this popular sport. It is also a mixed team game played together with sighted subjects. Here, we performed a national survey aimed at assessing the differences in psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL) between visually impaired baseball players from Italian teams and non-players using a structured online questionnaire. Forty-three visually impaired baseball players and thirty-four visually impaired sedentary individuals completed a structured self-report survey including the validated 18-item Italian versions of the PWB (PWB-18) scale and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire to assess the QoL. PWB-18 and SF-12 reference data from the Italian normally sighted population were also employed for comparison with the visually impaired baseball player group. Visually impaired baseball players reported better scores in all dimensions of the PWB-18 scale and significant higher scores in both physical and mental QoL evaluated by SF-12 than the non-player group. In addition, PWB-18 scale findings revealed significant differences between visually impaired baseball players and the reference normally sighted population consisting in lower scores for autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations with others and purpose in life dimensions. Conversely, the mean scores for PWB-18 personal growth and self-acceptance dimensions were not significantly different between the two groups. The SF-12 questionnaire results demonstrated a significantly higher physical score in visually impaired players compared with the reference population. Instead, the SF-12 mental score of visually impaired athletes tended to be lower, though this difference was not statistically significant. Collectively, our findings suggest that the practice of Italian baseball may have a positive impact on PWB and QoL of visually impaired individuals.

Self-efficacy and physical activity among adults with visual impairments

BACKGROUND

According to empirical evidence, adults with visual impairments are generally less physically active than their sighted peers, however less is known about what specific motivational factors influence physical activity participation among this population. While research has identified self-efficacy as one important motivational factor for physical activity, no previous research has examined this association among individuals with visual impairments.

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of the current study was to examine the association between self-efficacy and physical activity for adults with visual impairments.

METHODS

A total of 147 participants (Mage = 44.5, 65.2% female) completed three online surveys (i.e., demographic questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form [IPAQ-SF], and Self-Efficacy for Exercise Beliefs [SEEB] scale) and were included in the analysis. MET-min/wk and SE beliefs were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using correlation and multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS

Participants reported an average of 2799.98 MET-min/wk. Body mass measures showed a mean BMI of 27.59, which was within the overweight range. A positive association (r = 0.29, p < 0.01) was found between self-efficacy and MET-min/wk. A significant amount of variance (10.2%) in MET-min/wk was explained by the overall model.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive relationship was found between physical activity participation and self-efficacy beliefs, which is aligned with earlier research conducted among individuals without disabilities. This finding underscores the need for further exploration of motivational constructs associated with physical activity engagement among individuals with visual impairments in order to better understand what specific factors impact and can be leveraged to promote physical activity engagement of this population.

Development and Evaluation of the Walk for Health Program: A Physical Activity Intervention for Adults with Visual Impairments

Background

Although the pervasive comorbidity documented in adults with visual impairments may be linked to physical inactivity, little is known regarding the extent to which mobility and health status can be improved in this population. The aim of this preliminary study was to develop and implement an adaptive, community-based walking program for adults with visual impairments and to evaluate its impact on daily step activity, cardiovascular health, body composition, and lipid function.

Methods

During an 8-week period, 17 adults (age = 47.3 ± 12.3 years) with visual impairments were prompted at biweekly intervals (weeks 1, 3, 5) to increase their daily step activity by 1,000 steps per day and maintain these gains during weeks 2, 4, and 6. Participants were asked to sustain walking levels achieved by week 6 during the final 2 weeks of the program.

Results

Following the walking intervention, participants displayed a 78% increase in daily step activity (p < .01), but no improvements in cardiovascular health, body composition, or lipid function were observed.

Conclusion

Daily step activity was improved after completion of the walking program, but markers of health-related fitness remained unchanged. Future studies should be conducted to quantify the volume of physical activity required to improve the health status of persons with visual impairments.