The complexity of measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour

I would like to focus part of this Editorial on the increasing literature that has been evident around measurement of activity (and sedentary behaviour) in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. In this issue alone we include 3 papers that investigate various aspects of measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Hardy et al. contribute a paper that provides valuable information on deciding what method to use to assess sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents. This paper extends on the work of this group in collating information on best methods for assessing physical activity in this population group. 1 Also with a focus on younger people, Hanggi et al examined and compared two accelerometers (one with the ability to detect postures) and developed activity intensity cut-points. Their findings are important in light of the constantly evolving, and often complex, measurement tools in this domain. Our third paper in this area focuses on physical education lessons and measurement of activity using pedometry in that context.