Spring is in the air! Only a few more months of the school year remain for many students. It is an exciting time to anticipate summer and its laid-back routines. One thing to consider for your junior high, high school kids, and athletes, is a wellness exam and a pre-participation sports physical for next school year. Spring and Summer are great times to have both exams done so your child is ready for athletics in the Fall. Also, your child’s general wellness exam can be completed at the same time as your sports physical (if your child is due for their wellness visit). Remember, there are also some immunization updates that are needed for this age group as well.

So why the pre-participation sports physical and what should you know before you come for your appointment? These are required by most school’s athletic departments. The physical must be completed on or after May 1st for the upcoming school year. If your child will participate in athletics, there is a form that will likely be provided by your child’s athletic coach or the school’s athletic department. It is a two-page form consisting of health history questions and a physical exam. The health history gives your provider a good glimpse into the overall health of your child and athlete. It is important for this form to be completed prior to the exam in order for the provider to review the history and complete the physical exam portion of the evaluation.

What is the purpose of this physical? It helps to determine your athlete’s general health and fitness status, reviews previous medical history and its relevance to potential injuries with physical activity, evaluates any previous injuries, assesses your athlete’s growth and development, and helps detect any high-risk disorder or condition that may affect an athlete’s ability to play.

The exam includes height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision assessment, and physical exam. The exam may also include an evaluation of strength and flexibility (including a scoliosis assessment). If the history and physical exam reveals no abnormality, your athlete will be cleared to participate in sports. There are some instances where subtle abnormalities are revealed during the exam, there may be recommendations given for follow up with various specialties (all recommendations will be tailored to each individual exam). When any problems are detected, often times the provider will be unable to officially clear the athlete for sports and a plan for further evaluation will be made.

We feel it is of utmost importance for our providers to carefully screen and make recommendations for participation based on this sports physical. It is wonderful for kids to be active and play sports in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and build self-esteem, and the job of our providers it to make sure your athlete is safe to play!