Ann Rehabil Med.  2015 Aug;39(4):592-598. 10.5535/arm.2015.39.4.592.

Effects of Indoor Rowing Exercise on the Body Composition and the Scoliosis of Visually Impaired People: A Preliminary Study

• Shin KY
• Choi EH
• Lim JY
• Cho AR
• Lim YH

• KMID: 2148230
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2015.39.4.592

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of rowing exercise on body composition, laboratory data, fitness and scoliosis in visually impaired people. The majority of visually impaired people do not participate in active sports due to efficiency and safety issues. Rowing is a safe whole-body exercise with aerobic and anaerobic components.
METHODS
Twenty subjects were recruited from among those admitted to a facility for visually impaired people (16 men and 4 women). Laboratory data, body composition, physical fitness, Cobb's angle, and fall index were checked before and after 6 weeks (5 days a week) of indoor rowing using Concept2 Model E.
RESULTS
After the training, fat mass and total body fat percent decreased significantly. In the fitness test, back strength and trunk flexion score increased significantly. Laboratory data showed significant increases in serum protein and albumin and decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. There were 9 subjects with scoliosis and after the training Cobb's angle decreased by 1.11degrees+/-1.55degrees, though this was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Visually impaired people frequently have abnormal body composition, low physical fitness, and scoliosis. A rowing exercise program can be helpful, with a positive effect on body composition and physical fitness; however, with respect to scoliosis, we need an earlier intervention program in visually impaired people.

Keyword

Visual impairment; Rowing; Body composition; Scoliosis

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Body Composition*
Cholesterol
Humans
Lipoproteins
Male
Physical Fitness
Scoliosis*
Sports
Vision Disorders
Cholesterol
Lipoproteins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Concept2 rowing model E (Concept2 Inc., Morrisville, VT, USA).

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