Purpose. The SenseWear Armband (SWA) is a multisensor activity monitor that can be used in daily life to assess an individual’s physical activity level (PAL). The primary goal of this study was to analyze the impact of different types of feedback on the PAL of Flemish employees. Methods/Design. We recruited 320 sedentary employees (age, 41.0 ± 10.7 years; BMI, 26.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2) to participate in the 12-month study. Participants were randomized into one of four intervention groups after being measured for 7 days and nights by means of the SWA: (1) a minimal intervention group received no feedback (MIG, ); (2) a pedometer group was provided only information on their daily step count (PG, ); (3) a display group received feedback on calories burned, steps taken, and minutes of physical activity by means of the SWA display (DG, ); (4) a coaching group also received the display and had weekly meetings with a Personal Coach (CoachG, ). We hypothesize that participants receiving feedback (SG, DG, and CoachG) will have a greater increase in physical activity outcome variables compared to participants of the minimal intervention group. 1. Introduction Increasing daily physical activity (PA) is a key strategy for preventing or minimizing numerous chronic diseases [1, 2]. Daily PA consists of all occupational, domestic, and leisure-time activities. While participation in leisure-time activities has remained relatively stable over the years, technological advancements have drastically reduced occupational PA [3]. People spent more time at sedentary occupations or in work-related activities such as passive commuting (e.g., driving/riding in a motorized vehicle), which has a negative impact on total PA [4]. Given the benefits of regular PA and the current high prevalence of physical inactivity, people need strategies to increase their level of PA [5]. In 1996, the American College of Sports Medicine proposed PA guidelines which stated that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days provide some health benefits, notably, a decreased risk of chronic diseases. Moderate intensity PA is defined as activity performed at 3–6？MET and corresponds with the equivalent of walking 3-4？mph for most healthy adults. Because inactive people show measurable health benefits with only small increases in activity levels, these people should be targeted in health-promotion programs [6]. The physical activity level (PAL) of an individual is widely used as an indirect measure of physical activity energy expenditure. It can be measured or estimated from the average of 24-hour
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