Help patients book appointments with you on Solv. It's free! School sports physicals are exams used to determine whether teens can participate in sports during the school year. The exam is used by the school to make sure teens are healthy enough to participate in physical sports like basketball, football, soccer, and more.
During the exam, your child will be asked about allergies, serious illnesses in the family, illnesses they had when they were younger, and any medicines they're taking. They'll also be asked about any past injuries, previous surgeries or hospitalizations, and whether they've ever had chest pain, passed out, felt dizzy, or had trouble breathing during exercise. Once the medical history is taken, the physical exam starts and the doctor will test their vision, record their height and weight, and take their blood pressure and pulse.
They'll also evaluate their flexibility, joints, posture, and strength, as well as check their abdomen, lungs, heart, nose, ears, and throat. A sports physical is important because it can help you discover and deal with any health problems that could interfere with your child's ability to participate in a sport. It's best to get your child's sports physical done as far in advance as possible before the season begins for the sport they want to participate in. A sports physical can help you and your doctor decide whether or not it is safe for you or your child to participate in sports.
Understanding what happens during a sports physical will assist you in preparing for your appointment and selecting the appropriate practitioner.
The goal of a sports physical, according to the National Institutes of Health, is to identify any health conditions or concerns that could put you at risk for injury, illness, or death when engaging in sports NIH. Most schools require students to have a sports physical before starting a new academic year or sports season. If your health is in good standing, your doctor will sign the necessary school documents, allowing you to continue participating in your sport of choice. According to the university, if your doctor suspects a medical condition, you may be encouraged to undergo more tests or wear special protective equipment such as a brace while engaging in sports.
