Sport Related Barriers Among Visually Impaired Usaba Fitness Program Participants

PURPOSE: Sports participation can help improve both physical and mental health. However, those with visual impairment (VI) face unique barriers. Organizations seek to help those with VI overcome sports related barriers through targeted fitness programming; however, little is known about perceived barriers among program participants and how they compare to those with VI in the general population (GP). The purpose of the present study was to compare perceived sport related barriers among a national sample of VI adults who participated in programming offered by the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to those reported in the GP. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used to examine perceived barriers to sport participation among USABA program participants (n = 291; m(SD)Age = 40.6(14.3); 56.4% female). One sample tests of proportion were used to assess differences in perceptions of sport related barriers between the USABA sample and a representative sample of adults with VI from the GP (n = 647; m(SD)Age = 49.1(17.9); 52.4% female) previously reported. Significance was established with a Bonferroni adjusted p < 0.004. RESULTS: USABA participants reported transport (21%), lack of possibilities to compete (12%), and time (12%) as primary barriers. Within the GP sample, transport (24%), dependence on others (18%), and inability due to VI (18%) were primary barriers. USABA participants were significantly less likely to report dependency on others (0.07 vs 0.18, p < 0.001), inability due to VI (0.06 vs 0.18, p < 0.001), and not knowing opportunities (0.56 vs 0.12, p < 0.001) as major barriers compared to the GP sample. No significant differences were found for transport, comfortability, fear of injury, time, or competition. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights barriers that differentiate adults with VI who voluntarily engage in targeted fitness programming and members of the GP with VI. Organizations should take action to reduce the perceived barriers highlighted by those who are not actively involved in fitness programming. Further research is needed to better understand if targeted fitness programs may attract participants who experience different perceived barriers compared to others with VI or if, targeted programming impacts perceived barriers among program participants.