Intro to Sports Physicals

If you’re an athlete or parent of an athlete then you’ve probably heard of the required physical exam referred to as a sports physical. What is it and why is it important? Let us explain!

Sports physicals are used for children on up through professional athletes to determine their readiness to participate in a sport or physical activity of interest. Currently, 35 states require sports physicals to participate in a high school sport. Even if you’re in a state where it’s not required, it’s still a great idea to get one just to make sure that there are no underlying conditions that could become an issue. A sports physical also provides you with the opportunity to talk to your provider about any concerns you might have about previous or existing conditions/injuries.

Some of the benefits of sports physicals include:

• Identification of any life-threatening medical conditions (i.e. cardiac or pulmonary) or those that may limit participation
• Development of a treatment plan when specific conditions are present
• Rehabilitation of prior injuries
• Determination of which sports/activities are appropriate for the patient to participate in
• Counseling on healthy lifestyle choices
• Clearance for safe participation in the desired activity

During a sports physical you can expect your provider to:

• Take your vitals
• Perform a general physical exam
• Evaluate your medical history (including prior injury and cardiovascular health)
• Address any concerns you might have

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to sports physicals is to plan ahead! Ideally, you should aim to get your sports physical six weeks before the season begins so that you have adequate time to address any illnesses or injuries. Contact one of our primary care physicians to schedule your sports physical today.