InTrack project ˗ Theoretical framework, design, and methods: A study protocol

PLOS ONE STUDY PROTOCOL InTrack project Theoretical framework, design, and methods: A study protocol Mabliny Thuany1, Thayse Natacha Gomes2,3,4, Katja Weiss5,6, Volker Scheer7, Lee Hill8,9, Ramiro Rolim1, Beat Knechtle ID5,6*, Marcos André Moura dos Santos ID10 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 OPEN ACCESS Citation: Thuany M, Gomes TN, Weiss K, Scheer V, Hill L, Rolim R, et al. (2023) InTrack project Theoretical framework, design, and methods: A study protocol. PLoS ONE 18(3): e0283157. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283157 Editor: Goran Kuvačić, University of Split, CROATIA Received: May 15, 2022 Accepted: March 2, 2023 Published: March 30, 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Thuany et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. 1 Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 2 Department of Physical Education, Post-Graduation Program of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil, 3 Department of Physical Education & Sports Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, 4 Physical Activity for Health Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, 5 Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland, 6 Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 7 Ultra Sports Science Foundation, Pierre-Benite, France, 8 Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 9 Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada, 10 Associated Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, University of Pernambuco and Federal University of Paraiba, Recife, Brazil * Abstract Sports performance is the result of a complex interaction between individual and environmental factors. The purpose of this paper is to explain the methods used in the InTrack Project, a cross-sectional and cross-cultural project developed to investigate the variance in the performance of runners from different countries and to understand whether the differences in the performance can be explained by micro-level (athletes characteristics and proximal environment), meso-level (the distal environment that plays a relevant role on the relationships established at micro-level), and the macro-level (environmental features that shape countries characteristics). The sample will be comprised of runners, of both sexes, from four countries. Data collection will be performed in two steps: i) Individual information and ii) Country-level information. At the individual level, data will be obtained from an online survey. At the country level, characteristics data will be obtained from the secondary data available (demographic, social, and economic variables). Statistical procedures expected to be used include multilevel analysis, latent class analysis, addictive and multiplicative interaction in regression models. This wealth of information is of relevance to fill gaps regarding the existence of variables to connect different levels of information, and to provide scientific support about environmental characteristics important to predict runners’ performance within and between countries. Data Availability Statement: No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study. All relevant data from this study will be made available upon study completion Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Introduction Athletes’ performance is a dynamic, non-linear, and multidimensional phenotype [1], characterized as being complex and multi-faceted. These characteristics reinforce the use of holistic approaches to better and deeper understand this phenomenon. From the set of available PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283157 March 30, 2023 1 / 12 PLOS ONE InTrack Project theories, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (1977, 2011) was previously highlighted. Firstly presented in 1977 [2], the theory was developed as a critique of experimental psychology, and designed to provide a new approach to studying children’s development. As most of the studies were unidirectional, adopting the behavior as an outcome of the environment, the theory suggests that children’s development must be studied considering the interplay of subject-context [2]. Further, the theory proposes that variables responsible for the expression of a given behavior are derived from different levels/contexts, which are positioned in a hierarchical structure (from the closest to the furthest from the subject), interacting within and between levels. Moving forward the borders of psychology, the ecological systems theory has been applied in sports science, supporting studies from auxology to sports performance [3, 4]. Since athlete’s performance is the result of the interaction between variables that come from different levels/ environments, which can be located both close or distant from athletes, the use of ecological system theory to understand the expression of this outcome has expanded [5]. In summary, the different levels include the micro-level–intrapersonal and training characteristics, adding the proximal environment, such as coach-athlete dyad, family and friends support; the mesolevel–where athletes’ direct relationships are not observed, but whose environment plays a relevant role on the relationships established at micro-level, such as club sports, sports federations; and the macro-level–environmental features that shape sports systems, including culture, economic, and demographic indicators [6–9]. The interplay of these different levels accounts for the differences in the expression of athlete’s performance intra and inter countries since athletes live under different natural, social, and cultural environments [10–12]. In other words, between-countries differences result from the interaction of different domains, including (but not limited to) the political system, economy, education, cultural factors, military systems, and living conditions (e.g., poverty levels, human development indicators) [13, 14]. As a result of these differences, it is expected to observe differences in sports performance at an international level, given that inputs (e.g., economic support, sports culture, dissemination, and access) differ between countries. For example, in some African countries, most budgets are perpetually stretched to urges, such as conflict resolution, hunger, and poverty eradication [14], meaning that notwithstanding the role of sports can play in these societies, other needs require more investments. In addition, hidden features, such as the sh (...truncated)