Parental Influence and the Attraction to Physical Activity for Youths who are Visually Impaired at a Residential–Day School

The study reported here investigated social influences on the attraction to physical activity and perceptions of physical competence among youths with visual impairments. Specifically, what is the perceived influence that parents and peers have on attraction to physical activity among children who are visually impaired? Various predictors of children's physical activity-related beliefs and involvement were examined among children with visual impairments with particular reference to parental and peer forms of influence. Research has supported the view that parental and peer beliefs and behaviors are related to the interests of sighted children in physical activity, but little research has examined predictors and patterns of interest and involvement in physical activity among children who are visually impaired.