Scoring and Interpretation Guide
Scoring and Interpretation Guide
All scores are calculated as mean (average) scores on a 1–5 scale.
Using averages (rather than totals) ensures that scores are directly comparable across domains.
Calculate separate scores for:
Capability
Opportunity
Motivation
Step 1
Sum the scores for all items within the domain.
Step 2
Divide the total by the number of items in that domain to obtain the average score.
Number of Items per Domain:
Capability: 15 items
Opportunity: 6 items
Motivation: 16 items
Your final COM-B domain scores will range from 1 to 5.
All scores range from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Higher scores indicate stronger levels of that behavioural determinant.
Lower scores indicate potential barriers or areas for development.
Each domain represents a different behavioural influence on physical activity.
For a more granular behavioural profile, you can calculate scores for each Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) domain.
Capability Domains
Knowledge (3 items)
Skills (4 items)
Memory (3 items)
Behavioural Regulation (3 items)
Skills – Physical (2 items)
Opportunity Domains
Social Influences (2 items)
Environmental Context and Resources (4 items)
Motivation Domains
Identity (2 items)
Beliefs about Capabilities (2 items)
Optimism (2 items)
Beliefs about Consequences (2 items)
Intentions (2 items)
Goals (2 items)
Reinforcement (2 items)
Emotion (2 items)
How to Calculate
For each TDF domain:
Sum the item scores within that domain
Divide by the number of items
The result is your average score (1–5)
The banding tables below classify scores into:
Lower range
Moderate range
Higher range
These bands help you understand how your scores relate to typical physical activity patterns.
COM-B-Level
Capability
Opportunity
Motivation
Doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week
3.09 - 3.29
3.08 - 3.30
2.79 - 3.04
Doing less than 30-149 minutes of physical activity a week
3.54 - 3.62
3.52 - 3.62
3.41 - 3.52
Doing less than 150 minutes or more of physical activity a week
4.01 - 4.12
3.87 4.00
4.06 - 4.17
TDF-Level
Capability Knowledge
Skills
Memory
Behavioural Regulation
Skills (Physical)
Opportunity Social Influences
Environmental
Motivation Identifity
Beliefs about Cap
Intentions
Goals
Reinforcement
Emotion
Doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week
4.22 - 4.44
3.12 - 3.41
2.55 - 2.85
2.26 - 2.56
3.00 - 3.38
3.05 - 3.34
3.07 - 3.33
2.31 - 2.67
2.12 - 2.48
2.49 - 2.85
3.89 - 4.15
4.11 - 4.23
4.45 - 4.56
Doing less than 30-149 minutes of physical activity a week
4.38 - 4.47
3.61 - 3.72
3.10 - 3.23
2.99 - 3.10
3.47 - 3.63
3.45 - 3.59
3.54 - 3.59
3.30 - 3.37
4.11 - 4.23
3.36 - 3.50
2.95 - 3.10
3.79 - 3.92
3.73 - 3.87
Doing less than 150 minutes or more of physical activity a week
4.59 - 469
4.16 - 4.29
3.77 - 3.84
3.58 - 3.74
3.86 - 4.04
3.71 - 3.88
3.94 - 4.07
3.75 - 3.92
3.64 - 3.80
4.04 - 4.19
4.45 - 4.56
4.17 - 4.31
3.70 - 3.89
Your scores help you understand what may be supporting or limiting your physical activity levels.
If you are highly active:
High scores suggest strong behavioural support across domains.
Lower scores in one area may indicate a potential risk factor for future drop-off.
If you are less active:
Lower scores may highlight key behavioural barriers.
Higher scores in some domains suggest strengths you can build upon.
Mixed Patterns:
Active but low in one domain → area to strengthen for long-term maintenance.
Inactive but high in some domains → readiness may already exist; targeted support may help unlock behaviour.
Scores can be used to:
Guide intervention design
Inform coaching conversations
Identify priority areas for support
Monitor change over time
Evaluate programme impact