This article reports on a study of the effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise training on the cardiovascular fitness and body composition of 30 visually impaired students from the Alabama School for the Blind (the ET group) versus traditional physical education classes for a group of sighted students from a local public school (the PE group). Whereas the ET group showed a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness and a significant decrease in body composition after training, no significant changes were noted in the PE group.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdelsonE., & FraibergS. (1974). Gross motor development in infants blind from birth.Child Development, 45, 1–126.
2.
BuellC.E. (1973). Physical education and recreation for the visually handicapped. Eric Document Reproduction Service No. E.D. 079288.
3.
EmesC. (1985). Modifying motor behavior of blind children for participation in sport and physical activity. In Proceedings, 1984 Olympic Scientific Congress.Eugene: University of Oregon.
4.
GeorgeD., PattonR., PurdyJ.G., & PollockM.L. (1975). Development of an aerobics conditioning program for the visually handicapped.Journal of Physical Education and Recreation, 46, 39–40.
5.
JankowskiL.W., & EvansJ.K. (1981). The exercise capacity of blind children.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 75, 248–251.
6.
KitamuraK., JorgensenC., GoebelF., TaylorH.S., & WangY. (1972). Hemodynamic correlates of myocardial oxygen consumption during upright exercise.Journal of Applied Physiology, 32, 516–522.
7.
LeeM., WardG.S., & ShephardR.J. (1985). Physical capacities of sightless adolescents.Developmental and Child Neurology, 27, 767–774.
8.
MassicotteD.R., & MacnabR.B. (1974). Cardiorespiratory adaptations training at specified intensities in children.Medicine Science and Sport, 6, 246.
9.
SavageM., PetratisM., ThomsonW., BergK., SmithJ., & SadyS. (1986). Exercise training effects on serum lipids of prepubescent boys and adult men.Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 18, 197–204.
10.
SeelyeW. (1983). Physical fitness of the visually impaired in Detroit public schools.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 77, 117–118.
11.
ShortF.X., & WinnickJ.P. (1986). The influence of visual impairment on physical fitness test performance.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 80, 729–731.
12.
SnoyM.T., & BenteirL. (1978). Self-modification technique for the control of eating behavior for the visually handicapped.Education of the Visually Handicapped, 10, 21–25.
13.
StamfordB.A. (1975). Cardiovascular endurance training for blind persons.New Outlook for the Blind, 69, 308–311.
14.
WelshR.L. (1983). Yearbook of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.Washington, DC: Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
