Table 6 Factor analysis for physical activity change strategies scale (N = 512)

I say positive things to myself about physical activity

0.71

I set goals to do physical activity

0.70

I do things to make physical activity more enjoyable

0.70

When I get off track with my physical activity plans, I tell myself I can start again and get right back on track

0.70

I keep track of how much physical activity I do

0.67

I reward myself for being physically active

0.66

I look for information about physical activity or sports

0.61

I try different kinds of physical activity so that I have more options to choose from

0.59

I make back-up plans to be sure I get my physical activity

0.59

I put reminders around my home to be physically active

0.57

I find ways to get around the things that get in the way of being physically active

0.56

I have a friend or family member who encourages me to do physical activity

0.55

I try to think more about the benefits of physical activity

0.53

I think about the benefits I will get from being physically active

0.52

I think about how my surroundings affect the amount of physical activity I do (Surroundings are things like having exercise equipment at home or a park near by)

0.46

Eigen value

5.7

% variance explained

38.6

Choronbach's alpha

0.78

Mean inter item correlation

0.34

Pearson test-retest*

0.74