perceived
benefit/barrier ratio was 1.33. The greatest perceived benefit from exercise was physical
performance followed by the benefits of psychological outlook, preventive health, life
enhancement, and then social interaction. Physical performance was rated significantly
higher than all other benefits. Psychological outlook and preventive health were not rated
significantly different, although both were significantly higher than life enhancement and
social interaction. Life enhancement was also rated significantly higher than social
interaction. The greatest perceived barrier to exercise was physical exertion, which was
rated significantly higher than time expenditure, exercise milieu, and family discouragement
barriers. Implications from this investigation for the design of physical activity programmes
include the importance, for females, of a perception of high benefit/barrier ratio that could
be conducive to participation in exercise.