Cardiorespiratory Testing of Persons who are Visually Impaired

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of three tests of cardiorespiratory endurance for visually impaired persons. Thirty-seven males and twenty females, ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, participated in three tests of cardiorespiratory endurance. The three tests included a 600-yard run/walk, a bicycle ergometer test, and a step test. Minimum, maximum, and mean test scores were determined for various age categories. Test results demonstrated a wide range of cardiorespiratory endurance. Generally, the test scores improved with age and males performed better than females. The bicycle test and the 600-yard run/walk test provided comparable cardiorespiratory fitness assessment of the visually impaired. The step test results, when compared to the results obtained from the other two tests, tended to underestimate fitness levels.