Limitations of Current Objective Monitors and Opportunities to Overcome These Problems

Abstract

The myriad of objective monitors currently available, their differing measurement features and capacity, and the tactics of commercial enterprise, when mixed together with the multiple purposes of scientific studies and the inability of investigators to reach an academic consensus on standardized protocols for the measurement of habitual physical activity are all grounds for concern as research in this area seeks to move forwards. On the academic front, collaboration, sharing, standardization, and systematic knowledge creation seem to offer the optimum path if the promise of objective monitoring is to be realized and data are to become accessible equally to researchers, practitioners and the general public.