What is a sports physical?
A sports physical is a medical examination in which your child’s pediatrician evaluates their overall health and ensures they’re healthy enough to safely participate in athletic training and events.
Your child’s sports team or school might require a sports physical prior to participation, but even if they don’t, sports physicals are beneficial.
What are the benefits of sports physicals?
The main benefit of a sports physical is early detection of an illness, chronic disease, or injury that could cause problems during sports participation. Having a sports physical helps your child’s pediatrician detect asthma, allergies, heart problems, fractures, and more.
What should I expect during my child’s sports physical?
When your child arrives at La Providence Pediatrics and Family Clinics for a sports physical, they’re greeted by welcoming staff. Their provider checks your child’s weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, and other vital signs.
They review your child’s personal and family medical histories and ask questions about possible symptoms and medications they may take.
The team checks your child’s eyes, ears, throat, breathing, reflexes, abdomen, limbs, and heartbeat. They might recommend blood tests, urine tests, heart function tests, vision and hearing screening, asthma tests, X-rays, or other imaging procedures to detect or rule out medical problems.
Will my child require any treatment?
Your La Providence Pediatrics and Family Clinics provider lets you know if your child requires any special treatment prior to passing a sports physical.
For example, they might recommend your child wear a brace during physical activity, receive allergy or asthma treatment, or take certain medications. After your child passes their physical, your specialist signs off on the necessary paperwork.
How often should I schedule a sports physical for my child?
You can schedule a sports physical for your child every year, or as needed for them to safely participate in sports training. Their provider might recommend follow-up appointments to monitor or properly manage chronic conditions.
The next time your child needs a sports physical, you can trust the La Providence Pediatrics and Family Clinics team to provide exceptional care. Book an appointment over the phone or online today.
