Physical fitness of Saudi Youth with visual impairments

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to examine the physical fitness of the visually impaired Saudi youth and the effect of age, severity of the impairment and type of the institution on their performance. The physical fitness of thirty visually impaired subjects, 15-24 years old, was measured by using the Physical Fitness Test for Saudi youth. The findings indicated that the physical fitness of the visually impaired individuals was lower than the 25th percentile of the test norms with the exception of the flexibility item. Also, there was no difference between the two age groups or the institution types. However, significant differences were found between the blind and partially sighted subjects in long jump, 50-meter dash and flexibility items. Thus physical fitness must be incorporated in the physical education programs for the visually impaired Saudi youth regardless of their age, impairment severity or institution type. Also, the Physical Fitness Test for Saudi youth is feasible to be used to evaluate the physical fitness of visually impaired but careful interpretation of the running items results is required