Graduation Date
Spring 2026
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology
Committee Chair Name
Rock Braithwaite
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Taylor Bloedon
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Christopher Hopper
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Hearing impairment, Intervention, Balance, Motor skills, Motor development, Hearing loss
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
Hearing impairment (HI) is defined as a hearing loss greater than 35 decibels in the most active ear and impacts more than 430 million individuals worldwide, with projections reaching 700 million by 2050. Among children, HI is associated with speech and language delays, motor development deficits, and social-emotional challenges, all of which can reduce quality of life. Physical activity (PA) is critical for promoting physical, mental, and social well-being; however, children and adolescents with HI face unique barriers such as vestibular dysfunction, impaired balance, and limited postural control. Each of these barriers can negatively affect the performance of fundamental and complex motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, and throwing) and have been reported to limit engagement in sports and play. Despite interventions such as peer tutoring, assistive technologies, and communication aids, the relative effectiveness of strategies is unclear, and participation gaps remain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize research to identify interventions that enhance PA engagement among HI students.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Stewart, Jack, "Effective interventions for increasing participation in physical activity among hearing impaired individuals: A meta-analysis" (2026). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2590.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2590