Physical Performance of Participants of Sports Education Camps for Children with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Introduction: Youths with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) often demonstrate reduced involvement in sports and related negative effects. This study looked at data from sports education camps to see whether involvement in this short-term intervention positively affected the performance of component sports skills such as running, throwing, and catching. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of interview and performance data taken at sports education camps in one of 12 U.S. states in the years 1989, 1996, and 2000–2010. Data included questions about students’ attitudes toward and involvement in physical activities and sports. Skill performance measured before and after each camp included standing long jump, overarm softball throw, underarm softball throw, and goalball throw. Results: First-time attendees at the sports education camps demonstrated significant improvement in overarm throw, underarm throw, and standing long jump. Boys had slightly greater increases in standing long jump and overarm throw, and girls had a larger increase in underarm throw. Participants who initially felt safe running improved more in overarm throw and those who initially felt unsafe running improved more in underarm throw and standing long jump. Girls and those who initially felt unsafe running had a significant increase in goalball throwing speed. Discussion: The sports education camp model of short-term intervention for basic sports skill instruction is highly effective in improving physical performance for students who are visually impaired. Implications for practitioners: Students with visual impairments who are demonstrating negative effects from not being active or involved in sports might positively benefit from involvement in a sports education camp.