Book sports physicals now to beat the back-to-school rush

If your kids are healthy, do they really need a sports physical?

Actually, yes. This kind of check-up can give you and your young athlete peace of mind — not just for a season — but for life.  

School systems also require these to be done in order to participate in most school-sponsored sports.  They are generally required every 2 years. 

“Most of the time, we don’t find anything that would be of concern during a physical,” says Lisa Doherty a family physician  in Longview, Washington. However, those few check-ups that do reveal problems are potentially life-saving. That alone makes them more than worth doing.

During sports physicals, providers will sometimes find heart murmurs or hidden heart disorders as well as more common conditions like asthma, allergies and high blood pressure. When it comes to sports or other physical activities, these are conditions may require a treatment plan or a deeper conversation with your child’s healthcare provider. 

What to expect

Here’s what to expect at a sports physical:

As a parent or guardian, you’ll need to fill out the standardized form. Page one covers your child’s health history. Page two is where the vitals and results of the exam are to be recorded.  Doing this before the visit will help things go more quickly.

Sports physicals typically take 15 minutes in the clinic. The exam includes:

• General appearance
• Height
• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Eyes/Vision screening
• Ears
• Nose
• Throat
• Lungs
• Heart
• Abdomen
• Joints
• Bones
• Muscles

Providers often pay special attention to the neck, back and joints for range of motion and strength.  There may be more attention paid to certain areas, particularly if a child has a physical or intellectual disability.

Physicals offered in school gyms are convenient. But there’s a definite benefit of using your own doctor’s office. That’s because the clinic will have the whole picture of your child’s health. The best time to do a sports physical is in combination with your child’s well child visit so that overall health, mental health screening and vaccinations can be addressed as well.  

3 options for clearance

With pre-participation physicals, a provider can choose from three options:

1. Cleared for all sports without restriction. This means your child can participate in all sports or in the sport or activity requested.
2. Cleared for all sports without restrictions with recommendation for further evaluation or treatment. Dr. Doherty noted that any time a doctor gives what’s essentially a “yellow” light, you can expect to have a clear explanation about next steps. It usually involves your child seeing their own primary care provider for further evaluation.
3. Not cleared with one of the following:

• pending further evaluation.
• for certain sports (uncommon).
• for any sports (very rare).

“It’s rare that an otherwise healthy young person would not be cleared for any sports, but it does happen,” says Dr. Doherty. “The more intense the sport — such as football or basketball — the more important it is to get full clearance, especially if your athlete has had a concussion.”

Most sports physicals are good for two years. Keep in mind that some coaches may want players to have an updated one every year, though.

This kind of check-up is an essential part of helping kids stay healthy — both in the game and out.