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What is the Fuel Assessment Tool?
The Fuel Assessment Tool is an app-based screening assessment designed to help identify signs of low energy availability, under-fueling, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in athletes. Specifically, it is a HIPAA-compliant 10-question fuel assessment screening survey available in two versions—one for female athletes and one for male athletes. The tool supports early intervention of athletes at risk of experiencing the negative health and performance consequences of RED-S by providing them with access to a sports dietitian covered by medical insurance.
Fuel Assessments are easily accessible in The Sports Nutrition Playbook app
Fuel Assessment Tool Highlights
- HIPAA-compliant assessment tool
- Available to all athletes, no matter size of school athletics program
- Assessments can be taken year round with no maximum number of submissions
- Easily accessible assessment in app; can be taken anywhere from student athlete's phone
- Designed to assess risk for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in addition
to RED-S - Reduces burden on sports medicine/sports performance department, while allowing access to proper screening and care
Recommended Administration
of the Fuel Assessment
To ensure the Fuel Assessment is completed consistently and efficiently, we recommend administering it during structured group settings rather than assigning it for independent completion. Optimal times for athletes to complete the Fuel Assessment include:
- Pre-participation Physicals
Athletes can fill out the assessment while waiting or as part of the intake process during physical exams. - Initial Compliance Meetings or Orientation Sessions
Incorporate the assessment into team-wide compliance or onboarding meetings at the beginning of the academic or athletic year. - Team Meetings or Pre-season Check-ins
Set aside 10–15 minutes during scheduled team huddles, wellness
check-ins, or nutrition education sessions to complete the assessment.
Post-Fuel Assessment Steps
After the assessment is submitted by the athlete, a sports dietitian will review the responses. If the athlete’s answers are flagged for concern, the sports dietitian will reach out to the athlete directly via HIPAA-compliant email to provide support and encourage scheduling a one-on-one nutrition consult, which in most cases, can be covered by the athlete’s primary medical insurance.
The athlete will be provided a link to The Sports Nutrition Playbook’s insurance verification form. Note that the athlete will need his/her medical insurance card to complete the form. From here, insurance will be verified and the athlete will be reached out to via text and email to set up a nutrition appointment with the sports dietitian.
About the Program Creator
Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD is a registered dietitian and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She has worked with the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, TCU Athletics, Ben Hogan Sports Medicine, FC Dallas Soccer, the NBA G League, the Alliance of American Football League, many PGA Tour players, as well as with thousands of middle school, high school, and endurance athletes. She has consulted with numerous small collegiate sports programs and is the creator of a free sports nutrition program for high schools, the Sports Nutrition Game Plan, and is the author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook, a play-by-play on sports nutrition for athletes, parents, coaches, and trainers. Amy is also the
co-author of Swim, Bike, Run, Eat and nutrition contributor to retired NFL Player Donald Driver’s book, The 3-D Body Revolution. With her business, The Sports Nutrition Playbook, her goal is to expand sports nutrition services to all athletes, no matter the level of play.