Breaking barriers in sport: systematic review of technological solutions for the autonomy of blind and low-vision athletes.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/n9hmqm31Keywords:
assistive devices, technological systems, visual impairment, inclusion, adapted sportsAbstract
Sports activities offer physical, psychological, and social benefits to individuals; therefore, in recent years, efforts have been made to increase the participation of people with visual impairments. One of the limitations is the lack of equipment and guidelines, which is where technology becomes an important ally. Consequently, this study conducts a systematic review of the systems or devices used in adapted sports using the PRISMA method. To this end, articles published between January 2020 and June 2025 related to technological systems and adapted sports were selected in Spanish and English. The search process was conducted in two scientific databases: IEEE Xplore and Scopus; in addition, Google Scholar Labs and Elicit were used as artificial intelligence resources to complement the search. As a result of the search phases, 23 articles were obtained, revealing that the studies focus on track and field and soccer; however, studies have also been conducted covering sports such as rock climbing, volleyball, badminton, etc. In turn, innovative proposals are presented, such as image processing systems, the use of devices as guides for sports training, systems with microcontrollers adapted to the athlete’s body, and electronic systems focused on achieving independence for athletes. Although various studies have been identified that propose the development of technological devices and systems, limitations still remain—particularly regarding support and outreach—that hinder the inclusion of people in adapted sports.
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