Many factors may negatively impact physical activity (PA), but studies lack evidence of individual predictors of perceived barriers to PA among adults in primary healthcare units.
The most prevalent barriers were "feeling too tired" (53%) and "lack of time" (52%). PA counseling was inversely associated with "lack of time" (45% versus 57%; P < 0.001) but positively associated with "injury or disease" (38% versus 29%; P = 0.008). There was an inverse linear trend between the number of barriers and LTPA (walking and total) (P < 0.001). Most barriers differed in comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, LTPA and counseling (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The barriers vary according to the individual predictors. Counselingstrategies need to be specific for each barrier and may be promising for promoting LTPA within primary healthcare.