Gabrielle Rousseau, Véronique Boudreault, Karah Stanworth Belleville, Marie-Pierre Gagnon-Girouard, Gabriel Parent

Body image is a determinant of psychological and physical well‑being, especially during adolescence and young adulthood. Coaches significantly influence athletes’ development and can shape how young people perceive and relate to their bodies. However, few interventions exist to support coaches in promoting positive body image among athletes. In Quebec, ÉquiLibre, a provincial nonprofit organization, has created a toolbox to support coaches in promoting body positivity and healthy eating practices within sports settings. Evaluating the acceptability of such tools is essential to ensure they meet users’ needs. This study aims to assess the perceived acceptability of ÉquiLibre’s toolbox and to explore knowledge acquisition and potential attitude changes among Québec coaches working with athletes aged 12 and older. Using a descriptive mixed‑methods design, the study includes an online questionnaire completed by coaches who have used at least one component of the toolbox. The questionnaire, developed specifically for this project, is based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability by Sekhon, Cartwright, and Francis (2017). It measures key dimensions of acceptability such as clarity, usefulness, relevance, attractiveness, engagement, and overall impressions. It also examines knowledge gained and possible shifts in coaching attitudes. Approximately 50 coaches are targeted for the questionnaire. Semi‑structured interviews with about eight participants will provide deeper insight into their experiences with the toolbox. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. The findings are expected to guide improvements to the toolbox and support evidence‑based strategies that help coaches foster positive and inclusive sport environments.