Search

Objectives: People with visual impairment participate in less physical activity than sighted people, and may have been further affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing and lockdown measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mat-based group Pilates as a possible 'return to sport' intervention for adults with visual impairment. Methods: A 10-month intervention of community-based instructor-led mat-based group Pilates sessions was conducted with 14 participants with visual impairment. Measures of quality of life and balance confidence were collected at the start and end of the intervention. In addition, qualitative surveys and participant interviews were conducted pre- and post-intervention to gather data about the participants views and lived experiences of participating in the session. Results: There were no statistically significant changes to overall quality of life or balance confidence over the 10-month intervention period, but participants started with good scores with limited scope for improvement. Participants scored lower on the environmental domain (p =.042) after the intervention, which may be due to services struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels. Reflexive thematic analysis identified themes relating to becoming a community, (re)gaining competence, and developing independence with the intervention having a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Conclusions: Despite no quantifiable positive changes in balance confidence or quality of life, the qualitative analysis identified that the participants valued and benefitted from the intervention and found it helpful to their overall function as well as wellbeing and mental health. This suggests that mat-based group Pilates classes as a physical activity intervention is useful in this population and warrants further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) To identify if adults with uncorrectable sight loss would increase their physical activity (PA) following advice from general healthcare, eyecare or sight loss service professionals. (2) To identify what resources could be provided alongside advice from a professional to facilitate PA. Survey data from 100 UK adults with uncorrectable sight loss were analysed. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the association between participant characteristics, and the likelihood that participants would increase PA if advised to by different professionals. Most of our sample would increase their PA if advised to by a general practitioner (GP) (n = 78), ophthalmologist or optometrist (n = 70) or a low vision rehabilitation officer (n = 75). Thirty-one participants would increase their PA if advised to by a dispensing optician. Participants with a history of anxiety and depression were less likely to report they would increase their PA based on advice from a GP (p = 0.002). Sight loss specific and community-based PA groups, exercise specialist support, a sighted guide, and a travel plan, were considered by most participants to be useful facilitators of PA. The results suggest eyecare and sight loss service professionals could facilitate increases in PA among adults with sight loss. Physical activity levels among populations with sight loss are critically low, and inactivity increases the risk of chronic conditions and premature mortality within these populations. GPs, optometrists, ophthalmologists, or low vision rehabilitation officers could play a pivotal role in increasing physical activity levels among people with sight loss, by providing physical activity advice during consultations. Professionals advising people about physical activity should have the knowledge, and opportunity, to refer people with sight loss to accessible physical activity groups or services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]