People who are blind and visually impaired typically need a guide for training for athletic events. According to Ironman, once a blind athlete makes a decision to train physically, all he needs is someone to steer him in the right direction and guide his actions. The blind and physically impaired bring the determination and the willingness; guides merely keep them on track.
Function
The function of a personal trainer for the visually impaired is to describe the surroundings and provide assistance when asked. According to the National Federation of the Blind, blind athletes should be encouraged to operate more independently in order to improve their skills at whatever endeavor they undertake. A blind or visually impaired athlete will ask for help when needed.
Features
Rather than take someone by the arm and show her where to go next, a personal trainer should utilize verbal cues to guide the blind athlete. Trainers should avoid using visual cues, according to Judo Information, such as "this way" or "do it like this." Guides must have a command of the language to provide specific details and instructions about which way an athlete should go or how to perform a certain activity.
Considerations
People with visual impairments have varying levels of sight. According to trainers at Judo Information, guides should ask an athlete what level of vision he has and how much direction he requires. Each person should be trained based on his level of physical abilities, mental acuity and experience, just as sighted athletes are trained.
Prevention/Solution
When training a visually impaired athlete for a running, cycling or swimming competition, you must incorporate audio cues so the athlete knows where to turn and when to stop. Cues can be tapping on the shoulder while the sighted trainer runs beside the blind athlete. Bells, whistles and other audio cues can be employed to provide direction. Navigational training aids are available through a number of vendors that supply blind consumers.
Benefits
Most blind athletes know their limitations and their abilities. They can easily go through a set of training modules without assistance in a gym once they've worked the route. It's important that once you guide a visually impaired athlete through a set of machines and workout stations that you don't move the equipment. Blind athletes rely on consistency so they can concentrate on their workout and avoid injuries from bumping into newly rearranged workout machines.
