does health-related physical fitness differ amongst visually impaired and fully sighted young people?

Aust Orthopt J 2020 Volume 52: 19-26

Rachele Stin BAppSc MOrth
Meri Vukicevic PhD
Konstandina Koklanis PhD

Discipline of Orthoptics, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, College of Science, Health and Engineering,
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
 

Visual impairment is said to pose a barrier to everyday tasks, including physical activity. Physical activity can promote teamwork, socialisation and improve health and skillrelated physical fitness. Fitness is important when participating in sport and exercise and is also a key facilitator in completing everyday tasks with ease. There are five components of healthrelated fitness: cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and  lexibility. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the difference, if any, in health-related physical fitness levels of children and adolescents with a visual impairment when compared to fully sighted children and adolescents.