The Dynamics of Maximal Aerobic Efficiency in Children and Adolescents with Hearing and Visual Impairment

An experimental group of 86 deaf and 102 blind children and adolescents, and a matched group of hearing controls participated in a progressive exercise test to evaluate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in order to determine their physical efficiency. The objective of the study was to investigate whether a sensory impairment has an effect on a decrease of physical efficiency of deaf and blind children in relation to their non-handicapped counterparts. A significant influence of sensory impairment on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was observed in boys (F=4.3, P<0.05). As compared to healthy subjects, deaf and blind adolescents had a lower level of VO2 max.