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Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 19062

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ali S. Brian

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education, College of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Interests: motor behavior; early childhood motor skill intervention; assessment; adapted physical activity/education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Pamela Beach

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Guest Editor

Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education, State University of New York at Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA
Interests: balance and postural control in special populations such as older adults and children with visual impairment; motor development assessments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Individuals with sensory impairments are highly at-risk for experiencing danger levels of overweight/obesity and sedentary behavior, as well as difficulties with movement skill competence. In fact, difficulties with movement skills relates with negative self-perceptions and poor self-concept for which individuals with sensory impairments are highly susceptible. Although there is an emergent and limited evidence base that includes descriptive and quasi-experimental research designs, much more research is needed. Specifically, more research is needed to better understand the role of movement competence (in all ages), as an underlying mechanism driving positive developmental trajectories for health, and decisions surrounding adopting a physically active or a sedentary lifestyle. Increased understanding can lead to designing better intervention strategies. However, to understand the efficacy of intervention and also create a better knowledge of underlying mechanisms supporting positive developmental trajectories for health, psychometrically stout assessments (across all variables of interest) are needed which are specifically designed for individuals with sensory impairments across all ages. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue. Here are some examples but authors are not limited to these choices:

Predictors of physical activity or sedentary behaviors including but not limited to movement skill, psychosocial, and environmental factors
Evaluating the psychometrics of tools to assess any above variable of interest for individuals with visual impairments of all ages
Longitudinal, cross-sectional, descriptive, and qualitative inquiries are all encouraged to submit.

Assoc. Prof. Ali S. Brian
Prof. Pamela Beach
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

motor behavior
physical activity
sedentary behavior
psychosocial aspects
fundamental movement skill
balance, functional movement
health-related fitness
blindness
disability

Related Special Issue

2nd Edition: Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (1 article)

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Auditory Cues and Other Strategies as Sources of Spatial Information for People with Visual Impairment When Navigating Unfamiliar Environments

by Hisham E. Bilal Salih, Kazunori Takeda, Hideyuki Kobayashi, Toshibumi Kakizawa, Masayuki Kawamoto and Keiichi Zempo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3151; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063151 - 8 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3041

Abstract

This paper explores strategies that the visually impaired use to obtain information in unfamiliar environments. This paper also aims to determine how natural sounds that often exist in the environment or the auditory cues that are installed in various facilities as a source of guidance are prioritized and selected in different countries. The aim was to evaluate the utilization of natural sounds and auditory cues by users who are visually impaired during mobility. The data were collected by interviewing 60 individuals with visual impairments who offered their insights on the ways they use auditory cues. The data revealed a clear contrast in methods used to obtain information at unfamiliar locations and in the desire for the installation of auditory cues in different locations between those who use trains and those who use different transportation systems. The participants demonstrated a consensus on the need for devices that provide on-demand minimal auditory feedback. The paper discusses the suggestions offered by the interviewees and details their hopes for adjusted auditory cues. The study argues that auditory cues have high potential for improving the quality of life of people who are visually impaired by increasing their mobility range and independence level. Additionally, this study emphasizes the importance of a standardized design for auditory cues, which is a change desired by the interviewees. Standardization is expected to boost the efficiency of auditory cues in providing accurate information and assistance to individuals with visual impairment regardless of their geographical location. Regarding implications for practitioners, the study presents the need to design systems that provide minimal audio feedback to reduce the masking of natural sounds. The design of new auditory cues should utilize the already-existing imagination skills that people who have a visual impairment possess. For example, the pitch of the sound should change to indicate the direction of escalators and elevators and to distinguish the location of male and female toilets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

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15 pages, 1337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Randomized Feasibility Trial of a Fundamental Motor Skill Parent-Mediated Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

by Luis Columna, Laura A. Prieto, Pamela Beach, Natalie Russo and John T. Foley

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312398 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2656

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of a fundamental motor skills (FMS) intervention with two groups on the acquisition of FMS of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We randomly assigned families (n = 15) of children with ASD aged 4–11 years into two groups (a workshop or a home-based group) focused on FMS development. Both groups participated in a 10-week intervention and were given the same instructional manual and adapted physical activity equipment. The workshop group also attended four in-person workshops targeting the needs of children with ASD and their parents. Children were tested on their FMS using the third edition of the Test of Gross Motor Development at the start and end of the intervention and then three months following the intervention. The recruitment rate was 50%, and the retention rate was 80% for all participants. The intervention for groups was safe and accepted by the participants as evaluated by post-program interviews. The outcomes of this pilot study suggest that parents can facilitate the acquisition of FMS of their children with ASD. Although these results are positive, there is a need to further identify effective interventions for FMS development in children with ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

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10 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Affordances for Motor Development in the Home Environment for Young Children with and without CHARGE Syndrome

by Pamela Beach, Melanie Perreault and Lauren Lieberman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11936; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211936 - 13 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1988

Abstract

Affordances in the home environment are critical to early motor development. Currently, the home environment has not been examined in children with deafblindness or severe disabilities. The present study examined differences in, and relationships between, the home environment and motor development in children with and without CHARGE syndrome. CHARGE syndrome is a low-incidence, complex disorder with sensory and motor impairments. Participants included 28 parents of children with CHARGE syndrome and 32 parents of children without disabilities. Children with CHARGE syndrome achieved motor milestones significantly later and had fewer outside space affordances than children without disabilities. Older children had a greater variety of stimulation and fine motor toys, and those that achieved independent walking later had more outside space and fine and gross motor toys. Early experiences may be more important for children with CHARGE syndrome than children without disabilities. Moreover, parents can play a vital role in their children’s motor development to help them reach their motor milestones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

16 pages, 351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“… and after That Came Me”. Subjective Constructions of Social Hierarchy in Physical Education Classes among Youth with Visual Impairments in Germany

by Martin Giese, Sebastian Ruin, Jana Baumgärtner and Justin A. Haegele

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010946 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2308

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reconstruct subjective constructions of experiences in PE and feelings of being valued within PE classes in Germany by students with visual impairment (VI). Two female and two male students (average age: 19.25 years) participated in the study from the upper level. For the reconstruction of experiences of feeling valued, episodic interviews with a semi-structured interview guide were used. The data analysis was conducted with MAXQDA 2020 based on content-related structuring of qualitative text analysis with deductive–inductive category formation. To structure the analysis, the main category, feelings of being valued, was defined by two poles (positive feelings of being valued as opposed to bullying). As a main finding, respondents primarily reported negative feelings and experiences characterized by instances of bullying, discrimination, and physical and social isolation, perpetuated by both their peers and teachers. In search of a deeper understanding, we identified social hierarchy as an underlying structure determining the students’ perceived positioning within the social context and thus directing their feelings of being (de-)valued. It became evident that it is not the setting per se that determined social hierarchy, but that it is more about the concrete manifestation of social hierarchy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

22 pages, 442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Standing Long Jump Performance in Youth with Visual Impairments: A Multidimensional Examination

by Adam Pennell, Nicole Yee, Carmen Conforti, Katienne Yau and Ali Brian

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9742; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189742 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2447

Abstract

Muscular fitness, an important marker of health in youth, includes explosive strength, which can be assessed using the standing long jump (SLJ). Little is known concerning the SLJ in populations with disabilities such as youth with visual impairments (VI) who trend with decreased health- and performance-related outcomes. The purposes of this study were to investigate multidimensional SLJ performance outcomes in youth with VI (i.e., descriptives and percentages of occurrence) and to explore associations among such variables and known factors of interest (e.g., age) using robust linear bivariate regressions. This study was a secondary analysis from data collected in 2018 (N = 61, M_age = 12.98 years, SD = 2.21). SLJ performance was investigated using a multidimensional focus (e.g., distance, Test of Gross Motor Development-3 horizontal jump, landing developmental sequences, landing joint displacement, and stabilization after landing). In general, SLJ performance was substandard in youth with VI. Most SLJ assessment scores were predictive of other SLJ assessment scores. Few hypothesized variables of interest (e.g., multimorbidity) were predictive of SLJ performance. Youth with VI who match the characteristics of the current sample may have decreased explosive strength/muscular fitness and, worryingly, their SLJ performance may not be influenced by expected factors (e.g., age). Implications and explanations for these results are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

11 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Brief Form of the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 for Individuals with Visual Impairments

by Ali S. Brian, Angela Starrett, Adam Pennell, Pamela Haibach Beach, Sally Taunton Miedema, Alexandra Stribing, Emily Gilbert, Matthew Patey and Lauren J. Lieberman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7962; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157962 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2603

Abstract

Children with visual impairments (VI) tend to struggle with their fundamental motor skills (FMS), and these difficulties often persist across the lifespan, requiring frequent assessment. The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) shows robust psychometric properties for children with VI. The TGMD, which includes 13 skills, is time-consuming to administer and score, warranting the need to explore brief versions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of three, six-skill versions of the TGMD-3 with children with VI. Children (n = 302; Boys = 58%, Girls = 42%; Mage = 13.00, SD = 2.50 years) with VI (B1 = 27%, B2 = 20%, B3 = 38%, B4 = 15%) participated in this study. We examined three different models using confirmatory factor analyses on the relationships between the motor skills and latent traits across the models. Scores from all three brief versions had acceptable global fit. Although further research should be conducted, practitioners can adopt a brief version of the TGMD to assess children with VI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

22 pages, 4207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis and Validation of Cross-Modal Generative Adversarial Network for Sensory Substitution

by Mooseop Kim, YunKyung Park, KyeongDeok Moon and Chi Yoon Jeong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126216 - 8 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2840

Abstract

Visual-auditory sensory substitution has demonstrated great potential to help visually impaired and blind groups to recognize objects and to perform basic navigational tasks. However, the high latency between visual information acquisition and auditory transduction may contribute to the lack of the successful adoption of such aid technologies in the blind community; thus far, substitution methods have remained only laboratory-scale research or pilot demonstrations. This high latency for data conversion leads to challenges in perceiving fast-moving objects or rapid environmental changes. To reduce this latency, prior analysis of auditory sensitivity is necessary. However, existing auditory sensitivity analyses are subjective because they were conducted using human behavioral analysis. Therefore, in this study, we propose a cross-modal generative adversarial network-based evaluation method to find an optimal auditory sensitivity to reduce transmission latency in visual-auditory sensory substitution, which is related to the perception of visual information. We further conducted a human-based assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model-based analysis in human behavioral experiments. We conducted experiments with three participant groups, including sighted users (SU), congenitally blind (CB) and late-blind (LB) individuals. Experimental results from the proposed model showed that the temporal length of the auditory signal for sensory substitution could be reduced by 50%. This result indicates the possibility of improving the performance of the conventional vOICe method by up to two times. We confirmed that our experimental results are consistent with human assessment through behavioral experiments. Analyzing auditory sensitivity with deep learning models has the potential to improve the efficiency of sensory substitution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments)

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