Youth leisure-time physical activity from the perspectives of young adults with visual impairments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the meaning that young adults with visual impairments ascribe to their youth leisure-time physical activity experiences. This study adopted an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research approach. Ten participants (aged 21-34 years; eight women, two men) with visual impairments were included in this study. Semi-structured, audio-taped telephone interviews acted as the primary source of data for this study. Data were analyzed thematically using a four-step process informed by IPA and three interrelated themes were constructed: (a) “I just always felt normal when I was doing them”: Preferences for unstructured activities, (b) “They didn’t baby me”: Importance of supportive parents, and (c) ““They didn’t know how to deal with my disability”: Comparing stakeholders in integrated versus self-contained sport”. The participants described a strong preference for unstructured physical activities and reported that support from parents was critical in allowing them to enjoy physical activities during youth.