Qualidade de vida e aptidão física relacionada à saúde de pessoas com deficiência visual: efeitos de um programa de exercícios físicos combinados

Abstract

This dissertation consists of 2 articles that focus on the effects of a combined physical exercise program on the quality of life and health related physical fitness of adults with visual impairment. The study included 9 adults with visual impairment with a mean age of 44.9 ± 11.3 years. A training program with functional resistance and aerobic exercises was carried out 2 times a week during a 12-week period, at a Physical Activity Studio of Santa Maria, RS. There were two evaluations, one before the beginning of the training program and another at the end of it. In the first article, the level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short version and the quality of life by WHOQOL - short bref in the Portuguese version. There was also an anamnestic record to characterize the participants. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the results and the Wilcoxon test to evaluate the difference between the mean valuesobtained before and after training. After the training period, statistically significant improvements were observed in the levels of physical activity and physical and psychological domains of quality of life. In the second article, the components of health related physical fitness were assessed: body composition using Body Mass Index, waist circumference and fat percentage; flexibility through the Sit and Reach Test using Wells bench; muscular strength / endurance with the 1 minute abdominal test and arms Flex/Extension Test and cardiorespiratory capacity by the Adapted Bruce Protocol. The normality of the results was analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the Wilcoxon test was used to assess the difference between the means. After training there was a statistically significant improvement in height, diastolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength of upper limbs and trunk. It was concluded that a 12-week combined exercise program, positively modified several aspects of quality of life and health related physical fitness of people with visual impairments.