POSTURAL CONTROL IN ATHLETES WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Twenty-two athletes with total loss of vision (functional classification B1) and 17 with partial loss of vision (functional classification B2 and B3) were included in this cross-sectional study. Their sport modalities were judo (n = 17), goalball (n = 12) and five-a-side football (n=10).

Postural control was investigated on a force platform with athletes in bipedal stance with eyes closed and blindfolded. The elliptical area of 95% confidence interval (mm2) and the mean displacement velocity (mm/s) were calculated. Athletes with total loss of vision presented smaller oscillation area values (p = 0.02) when compared to athletes with partial loss of vision.