Reliable data on the prevalence and development of physical behaviour – including sedentary behaviour; standing, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity; and time in bed – in populations is needed for evidence-based interventions and policies.

The development of sensor-based monitors, such as accelerometers, heart rate monitors, and global positioning systems, has improved the validity and reliability of free-living physical behaviour assessment, especially for sedentary behaviour, light physical activity, and short bouts of behaviours.

For valid comparisons of results between different countries or studies, the measures need to be comparable. In addition, the measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour collected by questionnaires and accelerometers need to be compared, when estimating how different populations meet recommendations for physical activity. 

This working group is co-led by Tommi Vasankari, Pauliina Husu and Henri Vähä-Ypyä from the Urho Kaleva Kekkonen Institute for Health Promotion Research (UKK) Institute, Tampere, Finland. The aim of the group is to provide coordination and support to projects regarding the monitoring and surveillance of physical behaviour at the European level.

The working group offers an opportunity to:

• disseminate and discuss recent findings and developments in the field of monitoring and surveillance of physical behaviour;
• identify and address gaps and challenges in research and practice regarding the monitoring and surveillance of physical behaviour;
• share examples of good practices in the monitoring and surveillance of physical behaviour; and
• collaborate and connect with other participants.