Measurement and promotion of physical activity (2016)

Sufficient physical activity is essential for cardio-metabolic health and quality of life. Inactivity and sedentary behaviour seem to be tied inseparably to our current way of living. Promotion of physical activity is therefore crucial. Research into the promotion of physical activity has revealed that altering one’s lifestyle can be challenging. Especially excess body weight is accompanied by barriers towards a physically active lifestyle. Practice nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians can support lifestyle changes, but the question arises whether effectiveness of a combined lifestyle intervention can be enhanced by adding group sessions aimed at physical activity. Accurate measurement of physical activity is paramount for the correct interpretation of study results. Several instruments exist to estimate physical activity level, and the utilization of body-fixed activity monitors in particular has increased in the past decade. However, popularity of a device does not necessarily imply usability, which should be considered when applying activity monitors in research and in daily practice. Moreover, the question remains whether activity monitors can truly reflect the level of physical activity and sedentariness.