The Effect of Physical Activity Programme on Balance and Posture in Visually Impaired Individuals

English (OpenAlex)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an 8-week physical activity program on balance and posture in visually impaired individuals. Fifteen visually impaired individuals aged between 18-25 years participated in the study voluntarily. Participants were divided into two groups: Experimental-Control. Experimental group participated in a physical activity program 3 days a week for 45 minutes a day with expert trainers, while control group did not participate in this program. Balance time (Stork test) and head-shoulder segments (Posture Screen application) were evaluated before and after the program. Head and shoulder translational and angular values and the differences between them were determined separately from four different viewpoints (anterior, posterior, right lateral and left lateral). The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U test in JASP 0.17.1. A statistical difference was found between the groups in shoulder translations in the anterior plane. In addition, there was a statistical difference between the groups in post-test balance times. As a result, it was determined that physical activities applied to visually impaired individuals prevented loss of balance and improved posture. It is recommended that physical activity programs should be implemented for the balance and posture development of visually impaired individuals.