Visual perception and its related factors of distance for Paralympic athletes with physical disabilities / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of posture and sports experience on distance perception in Paralympic athletes with lower limbs disabilities. MethodsFrom May to August, 2019, athletes were selected from the wheelchair racing team (n = 19) and the wheelchair fencing team (n = 16) in Shanghai, China. The athletes were tested the relative distance perception and absolute distance perception using the successive equal-appearing distance and blind walking tasks. ResultsThe interaction effects between sport and posture (F = 4.118, P < 0.05), sports events and distance judgment (F = 8.913, P < 0.01), and posture and distance judgment (F = 11.894, P < 0.01) were significant; while the main effects of sport (F = 7.467, P < 0.01) and posture (F = 11.918, P < 0.01) were significant; the relative distance judgment accuracy was better in the athletes of wheelchair fencing than in those of wheelchair racing, and in standing posture than those in sitting posture. ConclusionThe relative distance judgment accuracy is better for the Paralympic athletes standing and playing wheelchair fencers. There was no significant difference in the accuracy of absolute distance judgment between the different postures and the different sports.