Table 3 Recommendations for communicating PA messages with adolescents

Research

Develop a tool or mechanism to standardize the evaluation of communicating PA messages effectively e.g. a standardized evaluation framework.

Examine the long-term impact of communicating PA messages on PA knowledge, awareness, and attitudes.

Explore the role of indirect messages and their impact on adolescents PA.

Determine a suitable and “effective” time and frequency in which PA messages are delivered.

Consider scale-up and sustainability of intervention delivery from the beginning e.g. less researcher dependent, more end-user communicators such as peers, social influences, or role models such as coaches, teachers, etc.

When sufficient evidence exists, systematically review and meta-analyse the evidence of each type of intervention that communicates PA messages in relation to their effectiveness e.g. SMS-based interventions, digital technology interventions, and communication or social marketing campaigns.

Practice

Embed best practices for communicating PA messages within existing multi-component school-based programs to maximise the impact of the program.

Consider inclusivity and diversity when delivering PA messages

Consider the adolescents’ autonomy during decision-making.

PA message content: Use tailored and gain-framed messages that focus on the benefits of PA and provide strategies and tips to overcome the barriers of PA were deemed most promising.

Mode of delivery: Messages should be positive, empowering and age appropriate and should use various platforms such as print, oral, digital, and online.

Policy

Advocate for the use of a standardized approach to evaluating efforts for communicating PA messages

Strengthen research and evaluation capacity to inform effective policy solutions

Develop, or advocate for, a PA message communication framework or plan to streamline the methods, or techniques used to communicate PA messages to facilitate comparisons between strategies and mechanisms used.