Abstract

This study examined the effects of a short training program on cardiorespiratory condition of visually impaired subjects. A total of 53 visually impaired pupils and students in classes B1 = “blind” and B2 “visually impaired” from Benin participated in this study. The submaximal YMCA method was used to obtain accurate and reliable information about the VO2max of visual impaired subjects. This is a pilot study that surveyed the cardiorespiratory condition of the subjects on a cycloergometer before and after 15 workoutsof 30minute each. 68% of visually impaired subjects initially obtained an VO- ₂max estimate that is very significantly less than 25 mL.kg^-1.min^-1. All subjects reduced their average exercise heart rate by 13 bpm with average Borg scores of 18.50 (very difficult) for girls and 14.91 (difficult) for boys. The subjects that took part in the study significantly improved their VO₂max by 24.31 ± 07 mL.kg^-1.min^-1for girls and 23.72 ± 10.6 mL.kg^-1.min^-1forboys (P <0.05). This study showed that total or partial loss of visual function is not a limiting factor in improving the cardiorespiratory capacities of visually impaired people. No correlation was found between the seriousness of the deficiency and the low level of VO₂max of the visually impaired.

Keywords: Visual Impairment; YMCA Test; Cardiorespiratory Deconditioning; Benin

Introduction

In many African countries in general, especially in Benin, being handicaped results in an image of irreducible disability. Despite the legal arsenal in their favor, these people experience situations of exclusion from the practice of Sport and Physical Education [1] due to a deficiency. Thus, they are generally constrained to decubitus and immobility with cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal complications. According to WHO in 2010, physical inactivity is the 4^th risk factor for overall mortality. Visually impaired people are consistently referred to as those with very low physical activity, unlike other normal children. Prolonged decubitus sometimes leads to exercise mismatch with changes in skeletal muscle that may aggravate a pre-existing heart failure, a bronchial congestion, and even low respiratory infections [2,3]. De Potter (2006) reports that the physical condition of the visually impaired person is less than normal and correlated with the seriousness of the impairment. Despite these known complications, no study in Benin has investigated on the methods of caring for this category of people. Visually impaired people account for 37.4% (4.8% of blind people and 32.5% of visually impaired people) in the total population of persons with disabilities, estimated at 102 997 according to the third general population and habitat census of February 2002. However, they are aware of their ability to practice several sport activities with technical and human assistance. Unfortunately, the level of care for this category of people is low or non-existent in adapted physical activity programs.

Therefore, the particular interest of this study is based on subjects with visual impairment, thus a disability that can limit their autonomy, their ability to develop motor skills and functional abilities. The study attempts to answer the lack of a simple method allowing the visually impaired (VI) to autonomously improve his cardiorespiratory condition on the cycloergometer.

Materials and Methods

Participants

The study population is represented by all blind (B1) and visually impaired (B1) pupils, students and craftsmen aged between 15 and 39 years. They mainly come from four of the six Centers for the Social Promotion of the Blind and Amblyopic People of Benin (CPSAA in Natitingou and Parakou in the northern part of Benin, CPSAA in Djanglanmè and the one of Ségbèya in Cotonou in the southern part). 58 VI subjects with an average age of 23.06 ± 15.26 years for girls and 23.84 ± 6.10 years for boys took part of this study. To participate in the study, the inclusion criteria were: bea visually impaired person of at least fifteen years old from one of the Benin CPSAAs; not to have a critical heart disease and agree to be committed at the CPSAA of Sègbèya in Cotonou during the entire period of data collection. The criteria for non-inclusion in the study were: an intellectual disability that could have been associated with blindness; A pathology against the practice of Physical Activities.

It was excluded from the study those subjects whose irregularity during the workouts was observed for more than three sessions or declared ill. On this basis, five VI subjects were excluded from the study and 53 participated in the study.

Experimental Protocol

The experimental protocol consisted first of all of researching and obtaining from the ministry in charge of handicapped persons two practical training contracts of three months in the CPSAAs of Benin (Contract N°054/MFSN/DC/SGM/DRH/SAof November 04, 2010 renewed by the contract N°007/MFASSNHPTA/DC/SGM/ DRH/SA of February 21, 2012). The aim of this first approach was to evaluate the possibilities of integrating VIs into the practice of Sport and Physical Education in the host schools and, on the other hand, the pedaling capacity of VIs on a tandem bicycle (the only one in good condition in Benin) or on an ergocycle. With the help of the directors of these centers, a focus group helped to have information about age, the degree of vison loss. In addition to the school records, an ophthalmologist examined all the subjects present at the site of regrouping (CPSAA de Sègbèya) to confirm the class of the VI. The ability of VI to practice fitness activities was reported thanks to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) in accordance with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology guidelines (2010).

Later, with telephone contacts and the help of a teacher and a sports instructor from the Sègbèya CPSAA, 58 VIs were regrouped and housed in the center. The importance of the study was further explained to them, their health benefits, the biometric measurements to be taken, and the experimental protocol. The informed consent sheet was read to them and those who agreed have signed on the back of it. A total of 53 VIs voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, which was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Institute of Applied Biomedical Sciences (CER-ISBA) of Benin by decision N°18 on 27/03/2013. The YMCA test is based on the difficulty of inserting the VI into the practical courses of Physical Education, the failure of the tandem bicycles and the ability of the VIs on a cycloergometer observed during the workouts at the CPSAA and at SRRF of CNHU.

The experimentation is characterized by two phases: - A first phase before the test where the height and body mass were taken respectively using a measuring scale and an electronic scale (brand: SECA, JJA: 157 AV Charles Floquet 93150 (France). The heart rate at rest and exercise measured before and during the test, using heart rate monitors (type: RS 100; brand: Polar Electro Oy Professorintie 5 FIN-90440 (Finland).

A second test phase on three ergocycles (Polym Gymna Ergo- Fit 450; Brand: Polar), all equipped with an electronic meter that indicates the heart rate at exercise, the distance traveled, the duration and speed of pedaling (45 to 50rpm). Only the average values of the heart rateduring the exercisementioned on the screen of the microprocessor watch during the last 15 seconds of each stage of 3 minutes were retained. Between the first (T1) and third (T3) assesment, an inter-cycle assessment(T2) was carried out after 7 workouts to ensure that parameters changed, and adjustments were made to the initial workload. The Borg rating of perceived exertion scale was used for the subjective assessment of the intensity of the effort by the subjects who are asked at the end of each session of 3 min, some questions about how they feel the effort, in order to avoid certain risky situations. The experiments were performed at SRRF between 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm in a temperaturecontrolled room with a fan, in the presence of two physiotherapists. The measurements were taken before (at the end of the practical workouts) and after the workouts on cycloergometers. Estimates of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) were made using the equations of the multi-level model to calculate the slope of the VO2max curve according to the evolution of the heart rate at the last two powers in accordance with YMCA method: VO2max = SM2 + [b.(HR max –HR2)] with SM2, the oxygen cost at the last stage; (b) the slope of the curve; theoretical HR max = 220 - age and HR2 the average heart rate at the last stage [4]. Subjects were given a light meal during recess time between 10:00 am and 10:30 am prior to their departure by bus at 12:30 pm to the site of the experiment Table 1.

Workouts

The experiment began 2 months after the 2nd practical training course of VIs. During these internship periods, the VIs participated, with the help of classmates, in Physical Education and general fitness classes. The 15 workouts(endurance) for visually impaired subjects took place in the afternoons at the SRRF exercise room averaging 3 times per week. They included static heating of 5 minutes, 15 to 20 minutes of cycloergometer, 5 minutes of guided walking in the aisles of SRRF (active recovery) and 30 to 45 minutes of isostretching exercises. Each session lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes (including the time of weight gain and the heart rate at rest before the start of the session). The subjects were trained with an intensity that varied between 70 and 85% of the theoretical maximum HR (135-160 beats per minute) under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The pedaling speed varied from 45 to 50 rotations per minute and the power shifted from 15 watt initially to 125 watt at the final stage following theBorg rating of perceived exertion scale. Isostretching exercises were chosen to strengthen the respiratory muscles and the overall flexibility of VI subjects. Each exercise was practiced three times for 10 seconds (the first time to understand (using bio-feedbacks) the second in order to correct ourselves, the third time for the correct performance by the visual impaired person). A goalball session was organized every weekend at the CPSAA for the benefit of the participants.

Measures

Anthropometric Measures: The size was measured barefoot at the first session for all VI subjects, dressed in shorts and a lightweight T-shirt, using a gauge that was unrolled until it rests on the head of the subject. Body mass was measured under the same conditions using the person scale.

Cardiorespiratory Capacity: The heart rate at exercise was taken on the screen of each microprocessor watch for the last 15 seconds of each minute. The aerobic capacity was evaluated indirectly using the YMCA test on a cycloergometer according to Golding (2000) and the recommendations of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (2010). The YMCA test is based on 2 to 5 consecutive 3-minute efforts on a cycloergometer with powers individually assigned according to the heart rate evolution in the last 15 seconds of the current stage. The test was preceded by 5 minutes warm-up exercise’s. The slope (b) of the equation was calculated from the above and below maximum oxygen costs and from the average values of HR at the last two powers carried out. It was used to calculate the VO2max of the formula: VO₂max = SM₂ + b(HRmax - HR₂).

Statistical Analysis: The data collected from the participants was entered with the software Epi Data 3.1 after the input mask and the input control program were created. Observations and input errors were minimized by the file clearance. The file obtained after clearance was transferred to the software SPSS version 17.0 and then the tables are released according to the analysis plan. The formatting of the results (tables and graphs) was done with Excel and Word. The different results are expressed by their average and standard deviation in tables. The results that are obtained before and after the workouts were compared to better assess the effects of the training program. We performed cross-analyzes using KHI2 and Cramer’s V to better express the evolution of the different parameters according to the seriousness of the impairment, the sex and the age group. Then, the different measurements made before and after (T1 and T3) were compared by an analysis of variance (Anova) on repeated measurements in order to identify the significant differences. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05.

Results

At the begining, a significant difference was observed according to the degree of vision loss (p = 0.003), sex (p = 0.029) for significantly different workloads (p = 0.05) as far as the resistance to the effort is concerned. (Table 2 and Figure 1). No significant differences were noticed at the end of the workouts. The heterogeneity of the study population was noted at the level of VI boys through two VO₂max peaks observed at 41.67 et 43.19 mL.kg^-1.min^-1. However, no significant difference was found between VI girls and boys during the first test with the variable VO2max that is relatively very low for all the studied subjects (Figure 2). An insignificant effect related to the degree of vision loss and sex was noted at T1 for the aerobic capacity. Table 3 shows the low average level of VO₂max of VI subjects and the very significant improvements in VO₂max obtained especially with the B1 subjects of the 20-24 age group (48.50 ± 8.01 mL.kg^-1.min^-1) as well as with visually impaired girls of the same age group (46,28 ± 0,70 mL.kg^-1.min^-1) as a result of the training program.

Discussion

The analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data collected during the initial (T1) and final (T3) test of the training program allowed to explain and justify that the total or partial loss of the visual function does not represent a hindrance or an obstacle to the improvement of certain basic parameters of the physical condition such as aerobic capacity. It also shows that the “blind” B1 reacts in a similar way to training as his visually impaired peer B2 who very often uses his “remaining sight”.

Identification and Participants’ Level of Practice of Adapted Physical Activities

This study helped to show for the first time the physiological effect of a short workout of the visually impaired subjects on cycloergometer. The subjects that took part of the study were 86% of those exempted from doing fitness and who had an increased physical inactivity before starting the study. Its main contribution is to provide baseline values on the physical and aerobic capacity of people living with a visual impairment. The only recent study found in the literature was about training in tandem cycling during which the visually impaired subject does not have fully pedaling autonomy. The workout on the cycloergometer thus reinforces the research in the field of APA by offering a complete pedaling autonomy to the visually impaired subjects. One of the most important results is to have confirmed the view that visual impairment is not a limiting factor of the workouts effects on the development of cardiorespiratory endurance physical parameters for the visually impaired subjects [5].

The sex ratio F/H of 0.35, shows the low enthusiasm of the girls to the practice of physical activities in the Beninese society in general. Given the average age of the subjects (23, 44 ± 5.67 years) and the level of schooling of the subjects, we can expect a good response both cognitively and in terms of motor intelligence [6] of all subjects during the assessment test and workouts.

Assessment of The Cardiorespiratory Capacity of Visually Impaired Subjects

The YMCA test on cycloergometer allowed to evaluate the functional capacity to the effort and the physical qualities of the visually impaired subjects. Less physical demand for 70% of participants during the first YMCA test on cycloergometer was observed. The massive failure of this test is noted as a result of the participants’ inability to maintain the pedaling rate or to stop pedaling. They feel the effort extremely difficult with the RPE scale, what was particularly evident with the visually impaired boys and girls. On the other hand, 30% (2% of girls and 28% of boys) of participants finished the three stages with an average Borg score of 18.23 (last stage) ‘’very difficult’’ for boys and 18.85 “extremely difficult” for girls (Figure 1). The average power of 67.3 watt for boys and 51.78 watt for girls at the final stage of the first test increased the average HR2 at 162.84 bpm and 164.57 bpm Figure 1.

Thus, at the 5% threshold, the success rate was significantly associated with the degree of the impairment, sex and age of the target being studied. In addition, the two groups, according to the degree of the impairment, differed significantly from each other during the first test. However, boys showed better resistance compared to girls. The Borg scale averages are not significantly different at the 5% threshold during the first test. These figures should be considered with caution because at the last stage of the test, most subjects only fit within the first minute of this stage. The only heart rate recorded in the last 15 seconds in the first minute of the last stage is taken directly as the average HR2 of the subject at this level. Previous studies have shown that the physical fitness of the visually impaired is limited. Lieberman et [7] note that these studies used a variety of methods, including cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, endurance, and physical composition. The degree of vision loss was significantly different, making it difficult and problematic to compare the results. But the appreciation of these results from the first YMCA test in relation to aerobic capacity seems to be more interesting.

Indeed, cardiorespiratory endurance, considered to be the best index of functional capacity [8,9], is evaluated by an ergocycle test called YMCA. Very small average estimates of VO2max were observed with girls B1(12.15 ± 6.88 mL.min-1.kg-1), followed by those of the youngest boysB1 (16.84 ± 2.77 mL.min-1.kg-1) (Table 3). Despite the two peaks noted at 41.67 and 43.19 mL.min-1.kg-1, in T1 with boys aged between 21 and 24 (Figure 2), the average estimates of VO2max remained very low for all our study population (Table 3). For [10], they are classified in the category of subjects with low maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The commonly cited case in the literature for this decrease in VO2max with girls is the greater accumulation of cutaneous fat during and after puberty [11-14]. These different under-performances, noted with our whole study population, could on one hand be explained by the delay in psychomotor development [15,16] of the visually impaired subjects and, on the other hand, by their lack of initiative and commitment to physical activity [17]. This confirms the hypothesis that the YMCA test on ergometric bicycles undergo by visually impaired people rapidly reveal the cardiorespiratory deconditioning with the latter.

Effectiveness of The Cycloergometer On the Cardiorespiratory Capacity of The Visually Impaired Subject

At the end of the first evaluation, the intervention plan was designed to improve the aerobic capacity of visually impaired subjects by increasing their maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and reducing their heart rate by exertion.

Physical Results

Eighty-five percent (85%) of the study participants were successful at the end of the YMCA training sessions, completing at least three consecutive three-minute ergocyle sessions versus 30% who had passed the first test. This already suggests an improvement in the aerobic capacity of all the participants at the end of the training program. On the physical level, a very significant improvement in the ability of all VIs (84.91%) to sustain an effort of a progressively high intensity was noted (Figure 2). This improvement is noticed both with the blind and the visually impaired. The success rate increased from 18.42% to 81.58% for the blind and from 60% to 93.33% for the visually impaired. Furthermore, the two groups, according to the degree of the impairment, differed significantly from each other during the first test (p = 0.003), whereas at the last test no significant difference was found at the 5% threshold as far as the physical resistance between blind and visually impaired is concerned (Table 2). These results show, on the one hand, the vulnerability of the blind, given the weakness of their initial state of health and, on the other hand, the importance of the physical activities adapted to them.

At the Cardiorespiratory Level

This massive success of all the visually impaired subjects during the third YMCA test resulted in a significant reduction in the 5% threshold of the average heart rate of all the participants at the end of the study. It increased from 162.84 bpm to 149.78 bpm for boys and from 164.57 bpm to 154.73 bpm for girls for improved but insignificant workloads by gender in the third test (Figure 1). On the other hand, it resulted in a very significant 5% increase of the average estimates of VO2max (Table 3). These variations are only the effect of the adapted training. concluded that the YMCA method seems to be effective in predicting energy consumption at submaximal intensities but not at maximum effort. No significant differences were found between boys B1 and B2 in the 20-24 age group concerning the VO2max improvements obtained by them. The first amazed their average VO2max estimates from 28.54 mL/ kg/min ± 10.08 to 48.50 mL/kg/min ± 8.01 (70 %). The second ones, from 22.79 mL/kg/min ± 12.78 to 44.94 mL/kg/min ± 14.04 (97 %) (Table 3). Indeed, the effectiveness of an aerobic training (measured by the evolution of VO2max) was shown by Kamelska et al. This latter reported similar results of maximal oxygen consumption with VI subjects using tandem bicycles.

The increases observed in our study ranged from 25 mL/kg/ min (for boys B1 aged from 15 to 19 and girls B1) to close to 30 mL/ kg/min (for boys B1 aged from 25 to 39 and girls B2 aged from 20 to 24). These results are significantly better than those obtained by Tordi et al. [18,19] Taylor et al. who showed a significant increase in maximum oxygen consumption of 18.5 mL. Kg^-1.min^-1. But they are consistent with those obtained by Grigaliuniené et al. who’s average VO2max of the sample studied was 49.0 ml/kg/min, considered above the average based on gender and age. This confirms the hypothesis that loss of visual function does not impede the improvement of cardiorespiratory capacity. The average score achieved by girls B1 (38.38 ± 10.86 mL.kg^-1.min^-1) is still lower than that of boys. The common cause of this VO2max reduction (mentioned in books) with girls is the greater accumulation of cutaneous fat during and after puberty. These different increases in VO₂max observed with our study population can be explained by the frequency (three on average per week) and the intensity (85% of the HR max) of the training program. [20,21] report that these increases in VO₂max are explained by an enzymatic equipment better adapted to oxidative glycogen combustion (or aerobic glycolysis), a better transport and use of oxygen in large quantity. showed that respiratory work of exhalation and deep inspiration develops vital capacity. According to American College of Sports Medicine (1990), data from training studies using subjects with varying levels of VO₂max, body weight and body fat indicate that changes occur in relation to their initial values. This means that the lower the initial level of the VO₂max, the greater the percentage of improvement found. This was verified in the three age groups of the VIs (Table 3) with an invalidation of the idea that there is a correlation between the degree of impairment and the lower level of cardiorespiratory condition.

At the Psychosocial Level

The enthusiasm, joy and enjoyment observed during and after the workouts demonstrate that the study enabled participants to:

a) Benefit from resource-supported attention (eg skills, abilities, social support from all CNHU-HKM users), thus allowing them to control their own live;

b) Take responsibility for changes leading to healthy and active life and positive mental health [22,24].

With regard to the new aerobic capacity acquired by the VI subjects after the training sessions, there was a significant improvement in the health benefits of the participants: 20.83% of a good “health benefit” (30 < VO2max ≤ 40 mL.kg^-1.mn^-1 ); 37.5% of a very good “health benefit” (40 < VO₂max ≤ 50 mL.kg^-1.mn^-1 ) and 35.42% of excellent “health benefit” (Meen, 2000). In contrast, only 6.25% of visually impaired subjects did not benefit from the training program (Figure 3). This may be related to an increased psychomotor retardation noticed with visually impaired subjects [25-27].

Conclusion

The first observation of this study is that the overall results show, on the one hand, the vulnerability of the blind, given the weakness of their initial state of health, on the other hand, the importance of the activities that are adapted to them. With the use of the ergocycle, the visually impaired subject can independently and significantly improve some basic fitness parameters such as cardiorespiratory capacity [28-30]. This study, by offering all the visually impaired subjects’ access to health services through the practice of cycloergometer physical activities, made it possible to highlight the aerobic endurance training of the visually impaired subjects whatever the age, gender and the degree of vision loss.

Limitations of The Study

The enthusiasm aroused by the use of the ergocycle that is unknown by 72% of the participants and the commitment of the subjects who found 98% in this study an opportunity to improve their health and overcome sedentary lifestyle did not make it possible to set up a control group able to highlight another form of exclusion. Furthermore, the study did not distinguish thenative B1s (blindness occurring to less than 3 years old) from the late B1s or B2s (severeimpairment) from B3s (medium impairment), which may have different reactions to the training.

Acknowledgement

The completion of this study would not have been possible without the availability and support of several people including David and all his visually impaired friends who were willing to participate in the study, as well Mrs. GOUHOUE Marie, a teacher at CPSAA. My thanks also go to my supervisors, Professors Mansourou Mohamed LAWANI and Toussaint KPADONOU for agreeing to lead this work by giving me their full availability. Finally, my thanks to all those who have contributed to this work.

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of a short training program on cardiorespiratory condition of visually impaired subjects. A total of 53 visually impaired pupils and students in classes B1 = “blind” and B2 “visually impaired” from Benin participated in this study. The submaximal YMCA method was used to obtain accurate and reliable information about the VO2max of visual impaired subjects. This is a pilot study that surveyed the cardiorespiratory condition of the subjects on a cycloergometer before and after 15 workoutsof 30minute each. 68% of visually impaired subjects initially obtained an VO- ₂max estimate that is very significantly less than 25 mL.kg^-1.min^-1. All subjects reduced their average exercise heart rate by 13 bpm with average Borg scores of 18.50 (very difficult) for girls and 14.91 (difficult) for boys. The subjects that took part in the study significantly improved their VO₂max by 24.31 ± 07 mL.kg^-1.min^-1for girls and 23.72 ± 10.6 mL.kg^-1.min^-1forboys (P <0.05). This study showed that total or partial loss of visual function is not a limiting factor in improving the cardiorespiratory capacities of visually impaired people. No correlation was found between the seriousness of the deficiency and the low level of VO₂max of the visually impaired.

Keywords: Visual Impairment; YMCA Test; Cardiorespiratory Deconditioning; Benin