Table 1.

Examples of future priorities in vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) research across the four-pillar framework

Pillar	Research priority
Definition	Standardise an empirically derived operational definition of VILPA for use in research and clinical practice Communicate a simple definition of VILPA with examples of key activities and duration of those activities, ensuring that this definition is clear to understand Adapt the definition for special groups, such as older people, where apparently simple low intensity activities may actually be VILPA in terms of relative intensity
Measurement	Develop and validate device-based measurements (accelerometers) that are sensitive enough to capture characteristics (e.g., duration and mode/type) of bouts of intermittent vigorous physical activity Develop and validate self-reported measurements that can capture daily frequency of vigorous intensity in different domains (e.g., work, transportation) Tailor measurement to research environment (e.g., large-scale observational studies, clinical trials) Explore the potential of consumer wearables for capturing VILPA bouts
Health effects	Explore the effects of VILPA on cardiorespiratory fitness, key cardiovascular and metabolic biomarkers in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and the general middle aged and older adult population Explore population-wide health effects on key cardiometabolic, physical functioning, and quality of life outcomes using existing epidemiologic cohorts Explore if VILPA elicits similar health benefits to equivalent volumes of continuous moderate to vigorous intensity activity Explore if VILPA elicits complementary health benefits to other physical activity or sedentary behaviour reducing interventions
Behavioural interventions	Investigate the behavioural translation of VILPA into simple messages and behaviour change strategies targeting people at high risk of cardiovascular disease Explore the safety of regular and long-term VILPA in people at high risk of falls or major musculoskeletal conditions, especially older adults Explore capability, opportunities and motivation (e.g., attitudes, preferences) to engage in specific VILPA activities (i.e. COM-B system) Demonstrate proof of concept (e.g., can VILPA be maintained in the longer-term/over several months/years?) Co-create and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions specifically in middle aged and older adults Understand the real-time affective psychological responses to bouts of VILPA Develop time-tailored interventions using smartphone-based technologies