Comparison of differences of Czech teenagers with sensory disabilities in physical education classes

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe and analyse the attitudes among teenagers with sensory disabilities in physical education classes. Materials and Methods: The sample was based on the following features: a) a participant had to be deaf and hard of hearing, b) a participant had to have a visual impairment, and c) had to have been educated in special educational settings. Both absolute and relative frequencies including mean and standard deviation were used to describe the data. Results The differences between teenagers who are deaf and hard of hearing and teenagers with a visual impairment were assessed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Tests were performed at a level of=0.05. In this study participated 24 teenagers who are deaf and hard of hearing (16 boys and 8 girls, an average age of 14.3±1.2 years) and 26 teenagers with a visual impairment (16 boys and 10 girls, an average age of 14.1±1.2 years). Statistical tests did not prove any difference in responses in all explored indicators between participants who are deaf and hard of hearing and participants with a visual impairment. The item concerning the importance of physical education as a school subject was the only one that approached statistical significance. Conclusion: Both teenagers who are deaf and hard of hearing and teenagers with a visual impairment perceive physical education and leisure physical activities in almost the same way and have a similar opinion towards this issue.