Motor competence in children & young people with visual impairment

New research from British Blind Sport, Thomas Pocklington Trust and University of Central Lancashire examines motor competence in children and young people with a visual impairment.

There are over 25,000 under 16s in the United Kingdom with sight loss and they are less likely to be physically active than their sighted peers which holds both physical and mental ill health related problems. The research highlights that time spent engaging in physical activity was a significant predictor of wellbeing, however, children and young people with visual impairments (CYP-VI) spend 91% of their free time sedentary.

It was highlighted that education settings offer the best environment for engaging and supporting CYP-VI to be more physically active through meaningful participation in PE lessons. Schools are also highlighted as being the most critical site for motor competence development and whilst Key Stage 1 appeared to be less of a concern for engagement in PE beyond this in KS2, KS3 and KS4 both families and industry professionals indicated that engagement in PE for CYP-VI was more concerning.

Recommendations

The key recommendations highlighted in the report include:

• British Blind Sport should support and advocate for the development of an inclusive PE curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 that ensures all children are able to access PE and develop the necessary motor competence skills.
• Working with sports education partners, e.g. Youth Sport Trust, British Blind Sport should lead the way in understanding the issues and opportunities associated with PE from Key Stage 2 onwards.
• Any possible interventions concerned with motor development in CYP-VI should happen as early as possible (i.e., nursery, reception).

The full and summary reports can be found here.

Published October 2021