Exercise for Special Populations

Visual Impairment Lab (10 pts)

Part 1:
· Break into pairs and blindfold 1 partner. The visually impaired client should pretend
that they are not familiar with the facility or the exercises.

· Lead your blind client throughout Boyle

1. Please include walking up stairs
2. Navigating through hallway
3. Perform the following:
§ Start your client exercising on the bike, treadmill or stepper
§ Perform the sit & reach test
§ Instruct & complete some abdominal crunches
§ Instruct & complete upper body dumbbell exercise

· Put earplugs on the other partner and repeat step 3.

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Questions:

1. How did it feel to be blind? What specifically did your leader do or not do that
decreased/increased your anxiety?

It felt uncomfortable losing vision. My partner let me hang on to their arm while they guided me
around the building. They also told me where objects like chairs, poles, and doors were. Their
guiding allowed me to decrease my anxiety especially when they told me when we were going
somewhere. Something that increased my anxiety is when I walked on the treadmill especially
when the speed was increased.

2. As a blind client, what concerns/reservations might you have with regards to exercise?

I would not enjoy doing anything fast-paced such as running due to lack of coordination and fear
of falling. Nor would I enjoy performing any type of exercise that requires stepping up and down
quickly. Not having a partner or trainer would also create a struggle because then there is no
way of telling if the movement is being done correctly.

3. As the seeing Exercise Professional, what techniques did you use to lead your blind client?
What worked best……what didn’t work? How could you improve your leading abilities?
Using my arm as a guide seemed to be the best way of leading the client around. As well as
explaining what the exercise would be prior to having them perform it. What did not work is
merely just saying “follow my voice” or “do this exercise” without any type of hands-on guidance.

4. As the seeing Exercise Professional, how hard was it to get the client to complete the
different exercises? How did you have to modify your “normal” instruction? What potential
problems/barriers could occur with working with a visually impaired client?

As the seeing Exercise Professional, dealing with the visually impaired did prove to be difficult. It
made demonstrating exercises harder because instead of being able to show them the
movement, I have to help them move their own body through the movement so that they can
feel what it is. Problems/barriers could be that the client is unable to perform certain exercises
like higher speed runs on a treadmill, or unable to use a stairmaster.

5. List 2 considerations & modifications for the visually impaired client & 2 for the hearing
impaired.

Visual impairment:
1. Consideration- watch for tripping hazards that may be in the way while walking or
exercises such as a dumbell on the ground while doing jumping jacks.

2. Consideration- make sure client is aware of hand rails when walking down the stairs or
using a treadmill so if they feel that they are going to fall they can catch themselves.

3. Modification- instead of giving a thumbs up to let them know that they are doing the
movement or exercise correctly tell them with words they are doing a good job.

4. Modification- Go to the gym during time that is less busy to limit disorientation with loud
noises and people to run into.

Hearing impairment:
1. Consideration- choose a quieter time of day at gym or place in gym so that client can
understand better.
2. Consideration- when using hand gestures clarify the meaning of hand gestures before
starting exercises such as when to stop movement.

3. Modification- If a person is deaf use written instructions rather than verbal.

4. Modification- use visual video instructions rather than one that is word heavy in
description