Beliefs about physical activity and sedentary behaviors of adults with visual impairments

Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Individuals Living with Sight Loss in Cambridgeshire

Physical inactivity is a prevalent concern amongst adults living with sight loss. It is essential to understand why these individuals are inactive and how we can increase physical activity levels among them. Therefore, this study aims to explore the barriers and facilitators to physical activity for individuals living with sight loss. Seven individuals with self-reported sight loss living in Cambridgeshire were recruited for three focus groups. Focus group data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes. Seven themes which represented a barrier, or a facilitator were identified: transport, accessing information, one size fits all, negative previous experience, visually impaired sport, women in disability sport, and taster days. To increase physical activity levels amongst those living with sight loss, interventions need to be focused on the organisational level. This includes producing more accessible environments that can be produced by providing training for sport and physical activity professionals and by ensuring the physical environment is inclusive for those living with sight loss.

Predicting physical activity among adults with visual impairments using the theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND

Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), Haegele et al.1 created the beliefs of individuals with visual impairments about physical activity scale (BIVIPA-1) to examine individuals with visual impairments' (VI) motivation toward physical activity (PA). The overall factorial tenability of the BIVIPA-1 remains unclear due to its item configuration.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to: (a) use confirmatory factor analysis to explore the structure of the expanded BIVIPA-2 and (b) test the predictive utility of TPB constructs on PA among adults with VI.

METHODS

Adults with VI (n = 236) completed the BIVIPA-2 and a multi-item PA recall instrument. A CFA was performed on the BIVIPA-2, and structural equation modeling was used to explore the relationship between theory constructs and PA.

RESULTS

The CFA results showed that the underlying structure of BIVIPA-2 was tenable for adults with VI based on TPB. Structural equation modeling showed limited support for the theorized predictive roles of theory variables on PA, as attitude predicted physical activity intention. Interestingly, subjective norm was a direct predictor for PA among adults with VI (β = 0.145).

CONCLUSIONS

TPB had limited predictive utility for physical activity among individuals with VI. The predictive relationship of subjective norms on PA may be somewhat unique to this population. Researchers may consider expanding the model to examine social support and subjective norms constructs and PA among individuals with VI.

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.

Predicting physical activity in university students with disabilities: The role of social ecological barriers in the theory of planned behaviour

BACKGROUND

Even though university students with disabilities are less active than their peers without disabilities, there is scarce knowledge on the predictors of physical activity (PA) in this population.

OBJECTIVES

To predict PA in Spanish university students with disabilities using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and to examine the role of social ecological barriers within this theoretical framework.

METHODS

Participants (N = 1079; Mean age = 40.12) for this cross-sectional study were recruited through the disability care services of 55 Spanish universities. The TPB constructs were assessed using a questionnaire. The Spanish short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure PA and the reduced Spanish version of the Barriers to Physical Activity for People with Mobility Impairments was used to measure social ecological barriers.

RESULTS

Two different models were computed through path analysis. Model 1 included the traditional TPB constructs and model 2 added a social ecological barriers variable. In both models, attitudes (β = 0.152; β = 0.152), subjective norms (β = 0.114; β = 0.115) and self-efficacy (β = 0.657; β = 0.659) each predicted PA intentions. PA intentions (β = 0.118; β = 0.122), self-efficacy (β = 0.225; β = 0.207) and controllability (β = 0.098; β = 0.075) predicted PA. In model 2, social ecological barriers predicted PA (β = 0.099). Regression analyses revealed intrapersonal barriers as a significant predictor of self-efficacy (β = -0.441). Controllability was predicted by intrapersonal barriers (β = -0.265), community barriers (β = -0.100) and organizational barriers (β = -0.095).

CONCLUSIONS

Future PA behaviour change interventions should target intentions, self-efficacy and controllability, since they directly predicted PA. These interventions would benefit from considering social ecological barriers to PA.

Theory of Planned Behavior in Research Examining Physical Activity Factors Among Individuals With Disabilities: A Review

The theory of planned behavior is a psychological framework designed to examine the relationship between beliefs and volitional behaviors such as physical activity engagement. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the published empirical literature on the use of the theory of planned behavior in the context of physical activity beliefs and behaviors of individuals with disabilities. Electronic-database searches were conducted to identify relevant articles published between 1990 and 2018, yielding 11 articles that met all criteria for inclusion. Data such as population, measures, research design, and results were extracted from qualifying studies. Article quality was addressed using modified versions of the National Institutes of Health's Quality Assessment Tools. In keeping with the theory of planned behavior model, major findings indicate that intention to be physically active has the strongest relationship with physical activity behavior, while the predictive usefulness of belief factors was mixed, among individuals with disabilities.

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.