School-Based Proprioceptive and Plyometric Training Improves Balance in Students with Visual Impairment: A 12-Week Controlled Study

Mariasole Antonietta Guerriero, Fiorenzo Moscatelli (), Giovanni Messina, Emilia Florina Grosu, Emese Ágnes Maniu, Valentin Alexandru Enache, Vlad Teodor Grosu, Rita Polito, Marcellino Monda, Antonietta Messina, Claudia Casella, Paride Vasco and Nicola Mancini
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Mariasole Antonietta Guerriero: Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Fiorenzo Moscatelli: Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy
Giovanni Messina: Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
Emilia Florina Grosu: Doctoral School of Physical Education and Sport, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Emese Ágnes Maniu: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babes-Bolyai University, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Valentin Alexandru Enache: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babes-Bolyai University, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Vlad Teodor Grosu: Department of Mechatronics and Machine Dynamics, Universitatea Tehnica, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rita Polito: Department of Psychology and Health Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy
Marcellino Monda: Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
Antonietta Messina: Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
Claudia Casella: Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Paride Vasco: Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Nicola Mancini: Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: This study examined the efficacy of a 12-week school-based program combining proprioceptive and plyometric training to enhance static and dynamic balance in children and adolescents with visual impairment. A total of 33 students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG; n = 18), receiving a one-weekly session of integrative training alongside regular physical education, or a control group (CG; n = 15), following only the standard curriculum. Balance outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0) and post intervention (T1) using stabilometric measures under visual deprivation (eyes closed) and BOT-2 (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition) balance subtests. The EG demonstrated statistically significant reductions in ellipse surface area ( p = 0.002, d = −1.29), center of pressure displacement ( p < 0.001, d = −1.67), and sway velocity ( p = 0.015, d = −1.06), indicating improved postural stability when vision was unavailable. BOT-2 Test 4 showed significant intra-group improvement ( p = 0.006, d = 1.37), while BOT-2 Test 3 and between-group comparisons revealed medium-to-large effect sizes, though not always statistically significant. These findings suggest that augmenting somatosensory input through proprioceptive and plyometric training may partially compensate for visual deficits and improve postural control in individuals with visual impairments. This improvement likely reflects the activation of compensatory mechanisms that enhance proprioceptive and vestibular contributions to balance maintenance. Importantly, meaningful improvements occurred with just one weekly session, making this an accessible and scalable intervention for inclusive school settings.

Keywords: visual impairment; balance training; proprioception; plyometric exercise; postural control; school-based intervention; BOT-2; stabilometry; adolescents; inclusive education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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