Development and validation of a PEST-based instrument for assessing macro-environmental factors in Olympic athletes' preparation under crisis conditions

Introduction: Understanding how external crises influence elite sport requires context-specific research tools. This study aimed to develop and validate two structured questionnaires based on the PEST framework (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, and Technological) to evaluate macro-environmental factors affecting the preparation of Ukraine's Olympic team in times of instability. Materials and methods: A panel of seven experts in sport science from four countries assessed 55 items (27 for Tokyo 2020 and 28 for Paris 2024) across three dimensions: clarity, relevance, and appropriateness. Ratings were collected using a 5-point Likert scale. The Content Validity Coefficient (CVC) was used to measure item-level agreement. Items scoring below 0.80 were revised and re-assessed after cognitive interviews. Results: Post-revision, all items achieved acceptable CVC values (≥0.80). The average CVC ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, with minimal variation between raters. Expert feedback improved item clarity and relevance. The instrument demonstrated strong content validity. Discussion: The content-validated tools provide a way to assess how political and systemic disruptions affect Olympic preparation. They are ready for further application in longitudinal studies focused on the national sport system in crisis contexts.