Sports Physicals
A sports physical offers the team at Penguin Pediatrics an opportunity to examine your child’s overall health and ensure they are able to safely participate in the sport of their choice.
The team evaluates your child’s physical health to ensure there are no underlying health issues that might interfere with their ability to play or put them at increased risk for injury.
Sports physicals are different from the typical well-child checkup because their goal is to be sure your child can safely enjoy sports without risking harm to their body.
- Ensure your child is prepared for vigorous physical activity
- Gather information on your child’s health and development
- Watch for potential warning signs of serious illness
- Meet the requirements of your child’s school, camp, or sports team
- Identify possible risk factors with a certain sport
- Receive advice on avoiding injuries
Regular physicals are an important part of preventative pediatric care. Getting your child an sports physical gives the doctor the opportunity to examine your child, evaluate their health and fitness, and determine whether or not they are prepared for sports or school activities.
Annual physicals however, even when not required by a certain organization, should be a part of your child’s ongoing healthcare because they also provide an important opportunity to discuss your child’s development and any concerns you may have.
Sports Physical FAQs
What is a sports physical?
Every child or teen in Virginia who wants to play in a sport or engage in other school activities like cheerleading must have a sports physical or a preparticipation physical examination. They also need a sports physical to clear them to return to their activities if they suffer an injury or become ill during the season.
The purpose of a sports physical is to be sure your child can safely participate in sports. Suddenly starting high-intensity workouts and engaging in competitive sports can quickly aggravate a pre-existing problem or lead to a preventable injury when an exam discovers potential problems.
Although a sports physical may find a problem that prevents your child from participating, in most cases, the examination results guide decisions. The exam reveals problems that Eastside Children’s Clinic can treat before your child starts a sport, and shows if your child needs extra training to get in shape to safely participate.
Why is a child’s medical history important?
Children and parents use a medical history form to provide information about:
- Chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
- Hospitalizations or surgeries
- Past injuries such as concussions, sprains, or fractures
- Problems with dizziness, chest pain, or breathing during exercise
- Medications and supplements
- Allergies
- Family history of serious illnesses
A complete medical history helps your doctor determine if your child has a condition that sports activities might aggravate.
What happens during a sports physical?
There are two primary parts of a sports physical. Initially, the team at Penguin Pediatrics PLLC reviews your child’s medical history. It’s important you provide as much information as possible concerning your child’s health, such as existing medical issues, previous injuries, and any medications your child currently takes.
You also need to answer questions about your child’s family history or certain conditions, such as diabetes and asthma.
The team then performs a physical examination of your child, checking their height, weight, and blood pressure. They evaluate the health of your child’s heart, lungs, ears, and throat and check for abnormalities in their abdomen.
How is a sports physical different from a school physical?
The biggest difference in the physical examination for sports participation is the evaluation of your child’s strength and flexibility.
The team at Penguin Pediatrics performs a comprehensive test of your child’s joint movements, posture, and muscle strength to ensure they are capable of participating in sports activity.
During the appointment, the team also discusses the dangers of drugs, including steroids, with regard to performance in sports. They can also provide you and your child with recommendations for a healthy diet and proper hydration during sports-related activities.
If your child passes the physical exam, the team completes the required paperwork your child needs for registration with the sports organization.
What if my child doesn’t pass the sports physical?
If the team at Penguin Pediatrics discovers an underlying medical issue that may interfere with your child’s sports participation, they may recommend a follow-up examination. In some cases, they may provide a referral to a specialist if they feel your child needs physical therapy or further treatment.
In the event your child needs a specialist referral, it doesn’t mean they can never play sports again. The team at Penguin Pediatrics and the specialist can work together on a treatment plan, with a goal to get your child back on the field in the best shape possible.
How is a sports physical exam different from an annual checkup?
The physical exam for sports participation has a different focus than a wellness exam. During a sports physical, a pediatrician at Eastside Children’s Clinic evaluates your child’s musculoskeletal health, assessing bones, muscles, and joints for flexibility, strength, and signs of overuse injuries or stress.
Their doctor carefully examines concerns that could reappear during sports activities, such as previous fractures, sprains, concussions, skin infections, a past history of pain or dizziness, and chronic health conditions.
An existing condition doesn’t always prevent a child from playing sports, but it may mean that they need help to accommodate their activity.
If your child has asthma, for example, they may need a different inhaler or need to learn to use their inhaler shortly before they start their warmups to prevent an exercise-induced asthma attack.
To schedule a sports physical, contact Penguin Pediatrics by phone or use the online booking feature.
