Measuring perceived benefits and perceived barriers for physical activity

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties and relationship to physical activity levels of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) among college students. Methods: A total of 398 college students completed the EBBS and a measure of self-efficacy, the Physical Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. In addition, a subsample of 275 students also completed a semistructured interview on physical activity, the Seven-day Physical Activity Recall. Results: Psychometric properties were acceptable, but only benefits significantly accounted for variance in physical activity levels. Conclusions: Surprisingly, the factorial structure differed from the test developers'.