Perceived Costs
Perceived barriers. Perceived barriers are a powerful negative predictor of physical activity. Although wide individual
variation is the rule, overall obstacles to physical activity tend to change with age and seem to increase for many elders.
Elders report that time, money, and family commitments are less significant barriers with increasing age. Availability of an
exercise partner, illness, injury, and fear of injury become more prominent concerns. Intrinsic barriers include falls, fear of falls, injuries, crime, illness, pain, body weight, body image, discipline, skills, knowledge, lack of pleasure, and overestimating the time or effort needed for activity. Extrinsic barriers include limited funds, transportation, parking, weather, available exercise partners, exercise facilities, peer exercise group, accessible exercise routines, and instruction