Comparison of physical and motoric characteristics of totally visually impaired and low vision individual

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the physical and motor characteristics of individuals with total visual impairment (TVI) and individuals with low vision (LVI). 250 participants (136 participants=TVI, 114 participants=LVI) bettween the age 10-19 participated in the study. Participants’ anthropometric features (age, height, weight, and BMI), balance, sitting reach, standing long jump, shuttle run, vertical jump, shuttle, hanging with bent arm, and handgrip strength were measured. Dr. Lovett's manual muscle strength measurement (MMSM) was used to determine the strength parameters. The strength of arm flexion strenght (FS), arm extension strenght (ES), leg FS, leg ES, hip FS, hip ES,  back and abdominal strenght were measured. For statistical analysis the SPSS 25 was used. Therefore, Independent Sample T Test was used to determine the difference between the two groups. As a result of the statistical analyzes, a significant difference was found between TVI and LVI in balance, sit and reach, standing long jump, shuttle run, vertical jump, shuttle, handgrip strength, abdominal strength, back strength, hip FS, arm FS, and arm ES (p<0.05). LVI's motoric properties were better than TVI. There was no difference between groups in bent arm hanging (BAH), hip ES, leg FS and leg ES (p>0.05). As a result of the study, it was found that the degree of vision significantly affects physical and motor development. TVI develop slower than LVI in terms of physical and motor characteristics. This study was conducted to reveal the difference in motor characteristics between TVI and LVI. According to the results of this study; In order to prevent insufficient physical and motor development in TVI individuals in developmental age, it is recommended to be supported with sportive activities. The development of TVI individuals should be followed from early childhood and appropriate strategies should be developed.