Levels and patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults with and without visual impairment

Abstract

BackgroundLimited data are available on objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among adults with and without visual impairment (VI). ObjectiveTo compare PA and SB levels and patterns in adults with and without VI and to examine how these differ based on sex and day of the week. MethodsThirty-two participants with VI and 32 participants without VI participated in this cross-sectional study. PA and SB were assessed using GT3X ActiGraph accelerometers during waking hours for 7 days, and variables were examined in terms of disability group, sex, and day of the week. Nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used, and significance was set at p < 0.05. ResultsPA did not differ in terms of sex or day of the week in participants with VI. The PA of participants without VI was significantly higher for men than it was for women and was significantly higher during weekdays than on weekend days. Total sedentary time and the duration of SB breaks were significantly longer for female participants with VI than for those without VI. The number of sedentary bouts lasting ≥10 min during weekend days was significantly higher for participants with VI than for those without VI. ConclusionsMost adults with and without VI did not meet the recommended levels of daily PA and spend a large portion of the day being sedentary. Interventions to enhance PA and reduce sedentary time in adults with and without VI are required.