International Journal of Psychological Studies; Vol. 10, No. 1; 2018 ISSN 1918-7211 E-ISSN 1918-722X Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 1 Why Won’t They Exercise More? Development of a Tool to Assess Motivators and Barriers to Exercise in Older Adults Lucy Moss 1 , Mark Moss 1 & Lynn McInnes 1 1 Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Correspondence: Mark Moss, Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK. E-mail: mark.moss@northumbria.ac.uk Received: November 9, 2017 Accepted: December 29, 2017 Online Published: January 4, 2018 doi:10.5539/ijps.v10n1p1 URL: http://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v10n1p1 Abstract Objectives The aim was to develop a quantitative tool to measure perceived motivators and barriers to exercise amongst older adults in order to facilitate the development of bespoke interventions. Methods Focus groups conducted with participants over the age of 65 informed the initial development of a 56-item Motivators and Barriers Questionnaire (MBQ). This was administered to a second sample of 72 sedentary and active older adults (65 to 90 years). Results Principle components analysis resulted in five factors defined as motivators to exercise and six factors representing barriers to exercise. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the model as assessed by RMSEA criteria. Discussion These findings suggest that the MBQ may help to identify an individual’s ‘profile’ of motivators and barriers to exercise, and so inform personalized interventions that might successfully increase activity levels in adults over 65 years of age when compared to standardised approaches. Keywords: Aging, Exercise, Barriers, Motivators 1. Introduction As our ageing population continues to grow (Office for National Statistics, 2017), we are faced with the unique challenge of addressing the health problems associated with old age in a cost effective way whilst also striving to maintain a good quality of life in this cohort. Physical activity has been shown to have numerous health benefits for older adults (WHO, 2017). Engaging in physical activity is a good preventative technique to successfully delay the onset of disease (Miller, Rejeski, Reboussin, Ten-Have & Ettinger, 2000; Vogel et al. 2009) and disability (Mobily, 2013; Song et al. 2017); and also to improve mental health (Rejeski & Mihalko, 2001) and quality of life in older adults (Windle et al. 2010). Despite this knowledge, older adults are known to be mainly inactive, with the vast majority leading completely sedentary lives (British Heart Foundation, 2015; The Health Survey for England, 2008). In order to realise the associated benefits of exercise, the WHO (2017) and the UK government recommend older adults should undertake 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, at least five times per week (Department of Health, 2011). Recent figures suggest that adults aged 65 to 75 fall far short of these recommendations, with only 20% of men and 17% of women reaching these targets. Above the age of 75 years this figures drop to 9% and 6% respectively (The Health Survey for England, 2008). If exercise is so beneficial why are the compliance rates so low, and what can be done to increase activity levels in this population?