Measuring the determinants and barriers to physical activity for older people

Objective: Despite a recent focus upon the promotion of walking owing to its physical and mental health benefits, there is no appropriate measure that explores the determinants and barriers of walking for older people.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 19 older people to generate an initial item pool, which was supplemented with relevant literature. A preliminary scale was developed, with a two-part preliminary piloting procedure that reviewed the initial items and domains.

Results: The preliminary measure contained 73 initial items and 15 proposed initial domains. The development procedure suggested that the measure has acceptable face and content validity. These stages resulted in the development of the Determinants and Barriers to Walking for Older People Scale (DABWOP-S).

Conclusions: Following a future psychometric evaluation, it is hoped that the DABWOP-S will result in a greater understanding of the determinants to walking for older people to shape social prescribing practices and walking programmes.