How to succeed? Physical activity for individuals who are blind

Abstract

The aim of our case study was to examine the perceived experiences of participation in physical activity (PA). The cases comprised two individuals with blindness (a girl aged 12 years and a man aged 23 years), both of whom lived in Norway and had succeeded in becoming physically active. Both participants were recruited from Statped, the Norwegian support service for special needs education. Data were gathered from individual structured interviews with open and closed questions. A narrative descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. The results showed that important factors for the blind participants’ PA participation were having good instructors, support or visual interpreters, active family members, a safe sports environment, having tried many sports, private transportation to the exercise facilities, and a positive social environment, with peers, friends, and family members. Although some differences were found between the participants’ responses, important reasons for them to engage in PA were stated as the sense of fun, energy, and self-esteem that they derived from it, in addition to physical fitness. In conclusion, the study provides knowledge of factors that could increase PA adherence of individuals with blindness being included in PA and sports together with sighted peers.