Summary:
The aim of the present study was to highlight training practices for athletes with limited vision and/or blindness, who are involved in classical sports. Upon completion of the study, coaching practices will be available to coaches that will assist them in creating more functional training programs for visually impaired athletes. To complete this research, an extensive analysis of the existing literature was first conducted. Subsequently, the qualitative method was chosen as the most appropriate approach to conduct the research in the understudied paradigm. More specifically, the semi-structured interview method was applied to collect the required data, with a total of fourteen (N=14) teachers of physical education working in the field of Paralympic sport. In particular, 14 coaches (9 males and 5 females, aged 25-65 years) of visually impaired athletes involved in track and field participated voluntarily. From data analysis 4 main categories emerged: occupation, daily training, individual characteristics and psychological characteristics of athletes with visual impairments. During the analysis, daily training emerged as the dominant theme, highlighting several training practices such as, physical and tactile guidance, verbal as well as auditory guidance, attentional focus, imprinting technique, task analysis, repetitions, use of video, continuous supervision and focus on details. Study suggests that each coach has the possibility to apply a combined approach of these practices, always taking into account the specificities and needs of each athlete.
Keywords:
athletes, limited vision, blindness, training, training, classical sports, training practices, visual impairment, sensations
