Sports Physicals

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is an exam to determine your child’s health and ability to participate in sports, whether through their school or sports league. A sports physical has two main components:

Medical history

The medical history involves a series of questions about your child’s health since birth, including a history of immunizations, illnesses, allergies, and injuries. If your child has a particular medical condition that may affect their ability to play sports, the team discusses this as well.

Physical exam

During the physical exam, your pediatrician listens to your child’s heart and lungs, examines their eyes, nose, ears, and throat, takes their blood pressure, and measures their flexibility and muscle strength. A basic eye exam may be included if appropriate.

A sports physical can last 30-60 minutes, depending on your child’s overall health and medical history.

Why is a sports physical important?

A sports physical is an important step in protecting your child’s health when they participate in athletic activities. It can bring awareness to any medical issues your child has that require special attention when playing sports, such as using an inhaler if your child has asthma.

The team can also provide recommendations about avoiding injuries, staying hydrated, and choosing healthy foods to fuel your child during long practices or games. You can ask any questions you have about sports safety and get reliable answers and guidance.

What paperwork do I need to bring for my child’s sports physical?

In most cases, your child’s school or sports league provides a sports physical form for you to bring to the office. If you don’t have a form, the team can provide documentation that a physical was performed. Your child’s medical records are available if you need additional documentation for your child.

What if there is a problem found during the sports physical?

The team recommends that you schedule a sports physical four to six weeks before beginning sports participation. This allows time for follow-up and treatment, if necessary. In some cases, additional testing is needed to rule out health conditions that may prevent your child from participating in sports. If your child requires an inhaler or other prescription medication for participating, you have time to work with the team to find the correct dosage for your child.

Set up an appointment for a sports physical now by calling AAA Pediatrics or booking online.