Communicating physical activity messages with adolescents: what works?

Physical activity messages are educational or persuasive material relayed to an individual or group of people with the aim of increasing physical activity levels. This scoping review outlines the communication process, methods of evaluating physical activity messages, and the state of the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of physical activity messages. To date, physical activity messages have mainly been communicated by researchers, the school has been the most common place however, the timing and frequency of messages varied greatly. Common physical activity messages include information about the benefits, strategies to overcome the barriers, tips to being physically active, and educational or motivational information. Messages should be empowering, autonomously supportive, fun, age appropriate, inclusive, diverse, and posted on various platforms. There are many different outcomes and instruments used to evaluate physical activity messages making comparison difficult and thus, determining effect. Some evidence which indicate that physical activity messages can improve determinants of physical activity. Future research should aim to standardise the evaluation of physical activity messages, determine suitable timing and frequency of message delivery, and consider the scale up and sustainability of message delivery when designing interventions.

Grady, C., Murtagh, E., Ng, K., Bengoechea, E. G., Woods, C. Communicating physical activity messages with adolescents: what works? A scoping review with stakeholder consultation. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 22, 20 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01717-8

Caera Grady is a 4^th year PhD student and is supervised by Prof Catherine Woods and Prof Elaine Murtagh. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion in the school setting specifically with adolescents. She uses mixed methods to explore complex intervention implementation and evaluation, co-creation and participatory research. Contact Caera via email: caera.grady@ul.ie or on X @caeragrady2011