Physical Activity of Children with Visual Impairments during Different Segments of the School Day

Abstract

Schools provide opportunities for children with visual impairments (VI) to accumulate recommended daily moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). This study aimed to determine physical activity (PA) across the school day among special school children with VI in China. The study objectively measured the MVPA levels of children with VI during the recess, lunchtime, physical education (PE) classes, before-school, and after-school periods segments on PE days and non-PE days. Moreover, this research compared the gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) differences in MVPA during each segment. A total of 70 children with VI aged 7-17 years (mean age = 13.7; SD = 3.4) from the special school participated in this study. Accelerometers were utilized to measure the MVPA of children with VI. The participants with VI accumulated significantly more MVPA time on PE days than on non-PE days. Before-school periods and structured PE classes showed higher percentages of MVPA time than recess, lunch break, and after-school periods during the school day. Children with VI aged 7-12 years old were significantly more physically active than those aged 13-17 years old during recess, lunch break, and after-school periods. In conclusion, PA interventions during structured PE classes are recommended. Special attention should be provided to children with VI as they grow up to increase their MVPA.

Keywords: children with visual impairments; physical activity; segments.

Figure 1

Proportion of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time during different segments of physical education (PE) and non-PE days.