Solutions to the global challenge of physical inactivity have tended to be top-down, focusing on individual-level behaviour change.

To see population-level change in physical activity, a wider focus and multidisciplinary perspective is needed.

System-wide approaches present particular challenges for health systems and a new set of research questions.

Attempts to meet the challenge of physical activity by using systems thinking and user-centred design are explored from the perspective of one UK city (Sheffield).