Move and Thrive: Development of an Adolescent Friendly and Inclusive Online Fitness Resource

Abstract

While physical activity (PA) is a strong protective factor for adolescents, many youth experience discrimination and intimidation in traditional fitness spaces. This is especially true for youth of color, youth in larger bodies, and transgender youth. This manuscript describes the development of Move and Thrive, an online resource for PA promotion designed specifically for adolescents prioritizing inclusivity and diversity. Working with Community and Youth Advisory Boards, we developed guiding principles of Move and Thrive: to create resources that are 1) youth and community driven; 2) inclusive of diverse representation; 3) body and weight neutral; 4) trauma informed; and 5) accessible. We developed a guide for PA instructors to use trauma informed approaches; avoid mention of weight talk or physical appearance; use gender inclusive language; and offer multiple options to improve accessibility. Specific care was taken to hire instructors diverse in body size, race, ethnicity, and gender identity. The first iteration of Move and Thrive was launched in March 2021, and the current resource contains 72 PA videos. Over the course of 12 months, the site had more than the site had over 9,000 views in over 40 countries, including six continents. Users have reported high levels of satisfaction with Move and Thrive, and physicians have responded enthusiastically to sharing Move and Thrive as a free resource for adolescents. University of Minnesota Move and Thrive Project is currently available on an ad-free YouTube Channel. We believe that Move and Thrive has the potential to reach populations historically excluded from PA resources.