A physical activity barriers questionnaire for youth with visual impairments

Abstract

Background. In the current paper we examined the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire for children with Visual Impairments (PABQ-VI). We examined evidence for the ability of the PABQ-VI to produce scores considered to be valid and exhibit internal reliability. Methods. Forty one children living in the USA who were attending a residential sports camp participated in our research. Psychometric properties of the PABQ-VI were investigated using Pearson product-moment coefficients, Cronbach’s alpha and split-half reliability tests. Convergent validity was established by exploring correlations between the PABQ-VI, physical activity (PA) levels and participant’s self-efficacy for overcoming barriers. Results. Participants demonstrated low PA levels. Both PA participation and barrier PA self-efficacy scores were correlated with the PABQ-VI. The most physically active participants perceived fewer barriers and had stronger efficacy compared to participants who were less physically active. Conclusions. Overall, the PABQ-VI demonstrated preliminary evidence of convergent validity. Future researchers may consider reducing participant burden by reducing the scale length through eliminating the most poorly performing items and examining the three-factor structure using factor analysis.

Keywords

• exercise
• disability
• adapted sport
• blind