Physical Activity and Well-Being in Individuals with Visual Impairments

Physical activity is recognised as a cornerstone of health, contributing to cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal strength, psychological well-being and social inclusion. Individuals with visual impairments face unique challenges in accessing and engaging in physical activity, including environmental barriers, lack of tailored instruction and limited adaptive equipment. Despite these obstacles, participation in structured and adaptive exercise can yield significant benefits in both physical and mental health domains. Regular engagement in moderate-to-vigorous activities supports mobility, balance and metabolic health, while also fostering self-confidence, autonomy and social connectedness. Over recent years, research has shifted towards identifying facilitators that enhance participation, such as specialised training for instructors, community-based programmes and technological aids. Equally, there is growing emphasis on the design of inclusive environments—ranging from tactile wayfinding systems in sports venues to haptic feedback in wearable devices—that reduce dependence on visual cues. Moreover, psychological constructs such as self-efficacy and perceived autonomy have been shown to mediate the relationship between activity participation and quality of life. Taken together, these insights underscore the need for multi-level interventions that address individual, social and environmental determinants, thereby ensuring that people with visual impairments can access the full spectrum of benefits associated with an active lifestyle.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Physical Activity and Well-Being in Individuals with Visual Impairments publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in physical activity and well-being in individuals with visual impairments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA): Activity that elevates heart rate and energy expenditure substantially above resting levels, typically measured by accelerometry or metabolic equivalents.

Quality of life (QoL): A multidimensional construct encompassing physical health, psychological state, social relationships and environmental context as perceived by the individual.

Self-efficacy: The belief in one’s own capacity to organise and execute actions required to achieve specific performance attainments, influencing motivation and persistence.

Sedentary behaviour: Any waking activity characterised by low energy expenditure while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture, associated with adverse health outcomes when prolonged.

References

1. Seasonal variations in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among children and adolescents with visual impairment during different segments of the school day. Frontiers in Public Health (2025).
2. “You Feel a Sense of Accomplishment”: Outdoor Adventure Experiences of Youths with Visual Impairments during a One-Week Sports Camp. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
3. Correlates of Physical Activity among Adults with Sight Loss in High-Income-Countries: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021).