Background Globally, adolescents’ physical activity (PA) participation rates are low, particularly among lower socioeconomic groups, with females consistently the least active. The aim of this study was to co-design, with adolescent females, a school-based PA intervention in a single-sex, females-only designated disadvantaged post-primary school in Ireland. This involved using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI). This paper outlines the novel methodological approach taken. Methods The three stages 1) understand the behaviour, 2) identify intervention options, and 3) identify content and implementation options of the BCW guide is described. A student PPI Youth Advisory Group (YAG) (n = 8, aged 15–17) was established. Mixed-methods were used with students (n = 287, aged 12–18) and teachers (n = 7) to capture current self-reported PA levels and to identify factors influencing adolescent females’ PA behaviour in their school setting. The intervention options, content and implementation options were identified through discussion groups with the YAG. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was used to specify details of the intervention. Results Just 1.4% of the students in this sample reported meeting the recommended PA guidelines. Students identified having more ‘time’ as the strongest predictor to becoming more active in school (Mean = 4.01, 95% CI 3.91 to 4.12). Social influences, environmental context and resources, behavioural regulation, beliefs about capabilities, goals, and reinforcement emerged from the qualitative data as factors influencing PA behaviour at school. The BCW co-design process resulted in the identification of seven intervention functions, four policy categories and 21 Behaviour Change Techniques. The Girls Active Project (GAP) intervention, a peer-led, after-school PA programme was proposed. Conclusions This paper describes how the BCW, a comprehensive, evidence-based, theory-driven framework was used in combination with PPI to co-design a school-based intervention aimed to increase adolescent females’ PA levels. This approach could be replicated in other settings to develop targeted behavioural interventions in populations with specific demographic characteristics.

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Introduction There is a critical need for interventions that can be feasibly implemented and are effective in successfully engaging adolescent females in physical activity (PA). A theory-based, peer-led, after-school PA intervention, the Girls Active Project (GAP), was codesigned with adolescent females. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the GAP programme. Setting One single-sex, female-only, designated disadvantaged postprimary school (students aged 12–18) in Dublin, Ireland. Methods Mixed methods were applied with multiple stakeholders over a 12-week trial (March to May 2021). A single-arm study design was used to examine intervention: reach, dose, fidelity, acceptability, compatibility and context. Feasibility of using proposed self-reported outcome measures (moderate-to-vigorous PA levels, self-rated health, life satisfaction, PA self-efficacy and PA enjoyment) was also explored. Due to school closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention was delivered both online and in person in the school setting. Results Eight exercise classes were peer delivered by project leaders (n = 6, students aged 15–17) to intervention recipients (students aged 13-14). Recruitment was low (n = 8, 10% of eligible students, mean age: 13.3 SD: 0.46), yet retention was high (n = 7/8, 88%). Attendance rates were satisfactory (68%), and the intervention was implemented with high fidelity (87%). Data completion rates suggested proposed self-reported outcome measures were deemed appropriate (≥ 95%), except for weight (50%) and height data (80%). Despite COVID-19 hindering intervention implementation, both quantitative and qualitative data suggested that stakeholders were satisfied and perceived the in-person delivered intervention to be compatible with the school setting. Recommended refinements included extending class duration, introducing different rewards, and boosting programme awareness. Conclusions Further thought must be given on how to increase recruitment. Overall, the in-person delivered after-school PA programme was well-received by stakeholders and shows promise as an intervention that can be feasibly implemented and evaluated. Suggested improvements to the GAP intervention programme are recommended, before continuing to a more robust evaluation. Trial registration 10.17605/OSF.IO/75HWJ (prospectively registered, date of registration: 9th December 2020)

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Background Adolescent females Physical Activity (PA) participation rates are low globally, particularly among females of lower Socio-Economic Status (SES). Evidence suggests theory-based, multi-component interventions are most effective at improving PA levels. This research aimed to co-design, with adolescent females, a theory-driven, multi-component, extracurricular school-based PA intervention, the Girls Active Project (GAP) and assess its feasibility. Setting One single-sex, females-only, designated disadvantaged post-primary school in Dublin, Ireland. Methods The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) were used to develop the GAP. Mixed-methods with students (n = 287, aged 12-18) and teachers (n = 7) captured students’ self-reported PA levels and identified factors influencing PA behaviour at school. These data were subsequently used in discussion groups with PPI contributors (n = 8, students aged 15-17) to co-design the intervention. Mixed-methods were applied with multiple stakeholders to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the GAP programme over a 12-week single-arm feasibility trial. Results Just 1.4% of the students in this sample (n = 287) reported meeting the recommended PA guidelines. Time, social influences, beliefs about capabilities, environmental context and resources, goals, reinforcement, and behavioural regulation emerged from the data as factors influencing PA behaviour. A peer-led, after-school PA programme was co-designed. The feasibility study encountered significant contextual barriers and challenges with recruitment. Recruitment (n = 8, 10%) was low, yet retention (88%) was high. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hindering implementation, results suggested the GAP programme was implemented with high fidelity (87%), well-received by stakeholders and perceived as compatible with the after school-setting. Conclusions PA levels of females in this sample were far below recommended guidelines for optimum health. The novel approach applied to systematically co-design the intervention could facilitate future replication. Whilst further thought must be given on how to increase enrolment, the in-person delivered PA programme showed promise as an intervention that can be feasibly implemented and evaluated. Future research should examine the GAP’s preliminary-effectiveness at increasing PA levels in a pilot-cluster randomised controlled trial.