Impact of visual impairment on static and dynamic postural control and habitual physical activity in children aged 10–16？years

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of visual impairment (VI) on static and dynamic postural control and habitual physical activity in puberty-age children.A total of 26 children aged 10–16？years participated in the study: 13 children with VI and 13 age-matched sighted children as controls. Static and dynamic balance characteristics in eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) condition were measured during standing on a dynamographic force plate. The level of habitual physical activity was evaluated with modified Baecke questionnaire scores. Associations between measured characteristics were analyzed. Center of pressure sway in anterio-posterior and medio-lateral direction, sway radius and area in EO condition of static and dynamic tests in children with VI were greater (p？<？.05) in both static and dynamic exercises compared with sighted children, while postural control characteristics in EC condition did not differ between the two groups. In children with VI, characteristics of postural control were correlated to habitual physical activity in leisure time and to the age of starting sport activities in comparison with sighted children, who did not demonstrate significant associations between these characteristics. Postural control characteristics in EO condition in children with VI were greater compared with sighted children, and these data are also associated with the leisure time physical activity and the age of starting with sport activities. It is recommended to engage children with VI in sport activities earlier, especially in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and provide them with versatile possibilities to do so