title: Component analysis and initial validity of the exercise fear avoidance scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop the Exercise Fear Avoidance Scale (EFAS) to measure fear of exercise-induced discomfort.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted principal component analysis to determine component structure and Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency of the EFAS. Relationships  between EFAS scores, BMI, physical activity, and pain were analyzed using multivariate regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The best fit was a 3-component structure: weight-specific fears, cardiorespiratory fears, and musculoskeletal fears. Cronbach's alpha for the EFAS was α=.86. EFAS scores  significantly predicted BMI, physical activity, and PDI scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychometric properties of this scale suggest it may be useful for tailoring exercise prescriptions to address fear of exercise-related discomfort.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA. bcwingo@uab.edu
authors.forename: Brooks C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Wingo
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baskin
authors.forename: Jamy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ard
authors.forename: Retta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vogtle
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grimley
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D025341:Principal Component Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D014894:Weights and Measures / Q000295:instrumentation*