The barrier-belief approach in the counseling of physical activity

A theoretical framework is presented in this review to understand why people do not engage in physical activity (PA) and often relapse once they started PA. A distinction is made between three related types of BBs. In PA counseling these three beliefs are addressed using four different BB behavior change strategies. Conclusion: BB counseling aims to develop an individual pattern of PA for the long term that is adapted to the (often limited) motivation of the client, thereby preventing the occurrence of BBs. The client will learn to cope with factors that may inhibit PA in the future. Practice implications: The BBs approach composes a way of counseling around the central construct of barrier-beliefs to stimulate engagement in PA independently, in the long term.