Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and challenges of teenagers with visual disabilities regarding physical fitness and exercise

Physical fitness in teenagers with visual disabilities has not been researched adequately in Sri Lanka and internationally leading to lack of awareness in this regard by healthcare providers. This hinders the designing and implementation of physical fitness programs for them. This article explores the knowledge and attitudes of teenagers with visual disabilities on physical fitness and exercise, the types of exercises they prefer, accessibility and barriers they have for physical activities. This descriptive cross-sectional survey of 55 teenagers with visual disabilities was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire at the School for the Blind and Deaf, Dowa, Badulla. The survey found that they had inadequate knowledge about physical fitness; 81.8% had some knowledge with significant gaps while 18.2% had no knowledge. Everyone had positive attitudes regarding physical fitness and exercise. The majority preferred walking (35.95%), aerobic exercises (35.95%) and running (28.10%) rather than gym exercises and team sports (0%). Accessible exercises were walking, running, and aerobic exercises. Common barriers for them to engage in exercises were the lack of dedicated places to exercise with individuals with similar disabilities (92.7%), lack of adapted exercise equipment (100%), lack of learn-to-exercise programs (100%) and not knowing about suitable exercises (100%). The survey found that visually disabled teenagers had gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding physical fitness and exercise. Programs should be developed and implemented at school level to improve their knowledge about physical fitness and suitable exercises. Such programs should address the identified issues while improving accessibility of exercises and removing identified barriers.