Identifying perceived barriers to exercise behaviour change associated with transition through the stages of change model.

Gronmark, Ella (2018) Identifying perceived barriers to exercise behaviour change associated with transition through the stages of change model. Oxford Brookes University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This study uses the Stages of Change Model (SOC) (Prochaska, DiClemente & Norcross, 1992) to investigate perceived barriers that predict adherence to exercise. The aim of this research is to identify the different barriers at the distinct stages of the SOC. In total, 213 participants completed an online questionnaire with three measures: SOC, Perceived Barriers and Perceived Benefits to physical activity. The SOC measure allocated participants into one of the five possible stages. This allowed for the investigation of perceived barriers at the separate stages of the model. At the preparation stage of the SOC, the significant barriers were related to ‘Motivations’ and ‘Family/Friend Support’. During the action and maintenance stages, the factors with significant impact were barriers related to ‘Motivations’ and ‘Self-Consciousness’ and gender. Results suggest there are different perceived barriers present at the distinct stages. Motivational barriers were found to impact individuals throughout the model. When individuals are considering an exercise behaviour change during the preparation stage, it is important that they receive support from friends and family. In the action and maintenance stages, individuals’ levels of self-confidence could affect their decision to exercise. In these two stages, males are more likely to be impacted than females.