With fall sports around the corner, it’s time for a sports physical
By Dr. Scott Black
University of Kentucky
That’s why a sports physical should be at the top of every annual preseason checklist. Not only are sports physicals often required by states and schools prior to athletic participation, they’re also essential for injury prevention and catching preexisting conditions that could keep an athlete off the field.
What happens at a sports physical? While a sports physical should not substitute for an annual checkup or well-child visit, sports physicals are similar in that a medical provider will perform a physical examination of your child to evaluate if they can safely take part in sports.
If the doctor determines your child’s health is fit for the field, they’ll clear them for competition. Should they identify anything of concern, the provider might offer a treatment plan or refer your child to a specialist for further evaluation.
It’s recommended to schedule your child’s sports physical several weeks prior to the start of the school year. That way, if there is an issue, your child can begin treatment well before the beginning of the season.
Where should we go for a sports physical? Many families go to their primary care providers to get their sports physicals done. Some schools or clinics may offer free sports physicals on a particular day, but that examination may be less personal, especially if your child doesn’t already know the provider.
Do we still need to do a check-up? While a sports physical is similar to an annual checkup, they’re not the same. Annual check-ups are crucial to making sure your child’s development is on track, is up to date on vaccinations and that your child is generally healthy.
A sports physical can’t replace a check-up, but you can ask your provider’s office if they can be done at the same time.