BACKGROUND: Despite extensive research on physical activity behaviour (PAB), consensus is lacking on related terms and definitions, thereby hindering the ability to compare findings between studies and to develop reliable assessment tools. This study therefore aimed to establish consensus on the definitions of key PAB determinants. METHODS: First, an international expert steering committee was established, comprising members of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action "DEterminants of Physical ActivitieS in Settings" (DE-PASS). Recently published review-level studies were used to identify key determinants of PAB. Two independent reviewers systematically reviewed the literature to catalogue the range of definitions used for key determinants of PAB (steps 1-2). A two-round modified Delphi survey was conducted online from February to September 2023, to determine the optimal definition for each determinant. In round 1, experts selected the most suitable definition for each of the 41 initially identified determinants. In round 2, experts ranked the appropriateness of the definition selected from round 1 on a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥ 75% agreement on the definition (i.e., ratings of ≥ 4 points). A professional English language expert ensured concise, coherent wording and high-quality editing of the definitions (steps 3-6). RESULTS: Eighty-five experts in PAB research participated in round 1, and sixty-nine experts in round 2. Consensus of definitions was achieved for 39 of the 41 determinants (88.4%-98.6% agreement). The consensus threshold was not achieved for two determinants: genetic profile and regulation (69.6%) and backyard access/size (73.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study offer a consensus-based set of definitions for 39 key determinants of PAB. These definitions can be used homogenously in academic research on physical activity.

Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology School of Health Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Leiria Leiria Portugal

Department of Community Medicine and Global Health Institute of Health and Society University of Oslo Oslo Norway

Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Lithuanian Sports University Kaunas Lithuania

Department of Movement Human and Health Sciences University of Rome Foro Italico Rome Italy

Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and Health Research Institute University of Limerick Limerick Ireland

Department of Sports and Computer Science Universidad Pablo de Olavide Seville Spain

Faculty of Physical Culture Palacký University Olomouc třída Míru 117 Olomouc 779 00 Olomouc Czech Republic

Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health Porto Portugal

Levinsky Wingate Academic College Wingate Campus Netanya Israel

Research Centre in Physical Activity Health and Leisure Faculty of Sport University of Porto Porto Portugal

Sustainable Health Unit University of Oslo Oslo Norway

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