Sports Physicals in Northern Virginia: What They Are and Why Young Athletes Need One

A sports physical is a two-part evaluation, not a single quick check:

1. Medical History Review

The provider reviews your child's complete medical history, including past injuries, existing conditions, medications, and,  critically, family history of heart problems, since this history is one of the main tools used to screen for cardiac risk factors. (2)

2. Physical Examination

The provider evaluates cardiovascular health (heart and lung sounds, blood pressure), musculoskeletal health (joints, flexibility, strength, past injury sites), vision, and general fitness for the specific demands of the sport. (2)(3)

According to Penguin Pediatrics, a physical from last season, or for a different sport, isn't automatically good enough: a child cleared for soccer in the fall should still be re-evaluated before track season in the spring, because different sports place different demands on the body and can expose subtle injuries that only become apparent once a new season starts. (1) Getting a physical between seasons is one way to catch developing issues, like an overuse injury, before they turn into something that sidelines a child for the year. (1)

If your child plays a school-sponsored sport in Virginia, there's a specific, non-optional form involved:

• The form: VHSL Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (a new version took effect July 1, 2025). (4)
• Who completes it: The student and parent/guardian complete the consent and history sections; a licensed physician, PA, or NP performs the exam and signs the medical eligibility page. (5)
• When it's due: Before any tryout, practice, or competition, including off-season workouts. (6)
• How long it's valid: 14 months from the date the healthcare provider signs the medical eligibility page. (5) (6)
• Timing tip: Local health departments recommend scheduling the exam a few weeks before the season so there's time to follow up on any findings before tryouts begin. (5)

Sudden cardiac events in young athletes are rare, but they're also the leading medical cause of death among competitive young athletes, which is why the history-and-exam screening in a sports physical exists in the first place:

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young athletes occurs at an estimated rate of roughly 0.5–2 cases per 100,000 competitive athletes per year, depending on the study population. (8)

Competitive athletes carry an estimated 2.5 to 3.6 times higher relative risk of sudden cardiac arrest compared with non-athletes of the same age, largely tied to physical exertion in someone with an undetected underlying condition. (9)

The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends that preparticipation physicals be done by a child's own primary care pediatrician rather than in a "mass physical" (e.g., a gymnasium screening line) or an urgent care setting, because a pediatrician who already knows the child's history and records is better positioned to catch something a one-time exam might miss. (3)

These numbers explain why the history portion of the exam, including family cardiac history, prior fainting or chest pain during exercise, carries as much weight as the physical exam itself.

It's tempting to get a sports physical wherever is fastest, but the AAP has taken a clear position: physicals are best done by the child's own primary care provider, not in mass-screening settings or urgent care, because:

• Your pediatrician already has your child's medical records and history on file.
• Continuity of care means any red flag identified during the physical can be followed up on by the same provider who knows your child.
• Mass physicals conducted in gyms or cafeterias often lack the privacy and thoroughness of an individual office exam. (3)

At Penguin Pediatrics, sports physicals are one of several services offered alongside well-child visits, ADHD/ADD evaluations, and chronic care management, meaning the provider doing your child's sports physical may well be the same one managing their asthma inhaler, allergy plan, or growth history. (7)

• Your child's VHSL Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination form (parent/guardian sections completed in advance — the exam can't be completed until the rest of the form is filled out) (5)
• A list of current medications and known allergies
• Glasses or contact lenses, if your child wears them
• Family history of heart conditions, if known

1. If Your Child Is an Athlete, They Should Have a Sports Physical — Penguin Pediatrics Blog
2. Sports Physical: When, Where, Who Should Do It? — HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
3. Sports Physicals — Richmond City Health Department (Virginia Dept. of Health)
4. Sports Athletic Physicals Registration — Loudoun County Public Schools
5. Other Pediatrician Services — Penguin Pediatrics
6. World Netball Cardiac Screening Guidelines, NIH/PMC
7. Sudden cardiac arrest in athletes and strategies to optimize preparedness, NIH/PMC

This page is for general informational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a licensed provider.