Practical Fueling for the High School Athlete
-
Register
- Non-member - $31.25
- Member - Free!
- Student - Free!
- Certified Student - Free!
- Retired - $18.75
Abstract:
Recent research has emerged that provides direction as to key fueling challenges in high school and how we can address these challenges during this critical period of health, growth and performance. Athletic Trainers who primarily work with high school athletes can have a huge impact on fueling habits during high school and beyond by providing practical and efficient nutrition education. This presentation will introduce key fueling challenges, such as skipping breakfast, omitting pre-fuel, ignoring signs and symptoms of inadequate fueling and hydration, and not taking proper precautions with dietary supplements. Each challenge will be met with several of strategies that the athletic trainer can integrate into their practice to positively impact the fueling of the athletes that they serve.
Objectives:
- Participants will be able to summarize common fueling challenges of high school athletes.,
- Participants will be able to recognize signs and symptoms of improper fueling and hydration.,
- Participants will be able to create a list of fueling interventions that are feasible in the high school setting.
Level:
Essential
Domains:
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy
CEUs:
1.25 Category A
Keywords: nutrition, hydration, fueling, diet, dietary supplements, high school athlete, secondary
Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.
Katie Knappenberger, MS, RD, CSSD, ATC
"Katie Knappenberger is the Program Director of Performance Nutrition at Northwestern Medicine and Northwestern University Athletics, a role she has held since her hire in June 2014. As Northwestern’s first full-time sports dietitian, Katie has led the strategic development and expansion of performance nutrition services from the ground up. Her responsibilities include program design and oversight, budget and fueling station development, policy creation, staff leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the delivery of evidence-based nutrition care to student-athletes within a fully integrated medical model. Under her leadership, the performance nutrition team has grown from a single provider to a multidisciplinary staff supporting comprehensive athlete health and performance initiatives.
Katie earned her Master of Science in Nutrition and Sports Dietetics from the University of Utah and her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Prior to joining Northwestern, she served as an Assistant Professor and Certified Athletic Trainer at Daytona State College, where she earned tenure while teaching general and sports nutrition courses and providing athletic training services to collegiate basketball programs. She has also held academic and guest lecturer roles at the University of Utah, delivering both university-level instruction and community education.
A nationally recognized leader in sports dietetics, Katie has been deeply involved with the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association (ASPDA) through board leadership, advocacy, education, and research initiatives. She served as President of the organization from May 2023 - May 2026. Her professional contributions include serving in multiple national leadership roles (including serving as ASPDA's Liaison to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)), leading webinars and conference sessions, and serving as the lead author on the NATA's Position Statement on The Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Athlete Safety and Performance.
Katie is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian, and a Board Certified Athletic Trainer. She is based in Glenview, Illinois, and outside of work enjoys F45 training, hosting friends for special events, watching her 2 daughters in their numerous activities, and adventuring with her husband, Ryan. "
