Measuring physical activity in adults using wearable technologies: report of a scientific meeting, 10-12 June 2025, Montreal, Canada

Overview

The Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and the WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviours call for updating global guidance on the measurement and surveillance of physical activity.  This report summarizes the third of a series of planned technical meetings of scientific and technical specialists in measurement methods, wearable sensor technology and population surveillance of physical activity. This meeting brought together global experts to advance the development of guidance on defining core metrics, device specifications, and protocols for use; assessing the evidence base for evaluating wearable devices; and discussing knowledge gaps and research needs that need addressing to improve measurement and tracking of trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviours.