Why Sports Physicals Matter: 

A Must-Read for Parents Before the Season Starts

 

Is your child gearing up for soccer, football, basketball, or another sport this season? Whether they’re lacing up their cleats or heading to the court with their team, there’s one critical step that you shouldn’t skip — the sports physical.

Also known as a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE), this routine checkup plays a crucial role in your child’s health and safety. It helps identify any potential health issues that could interfere with their ability to play sports or put them at risk for injury. From checking heart health and lung function to evaluating joints, flexibility, and past injuries, a sports physical provides peace of mind for parents, coaches, and young athletes alike.

Completing a PPE before the season begins ensures your child is physically ready to participate. It can also detect conditions that may not exhibit symptoms during everyday activities but could become life-threatening during intense physical exertion.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Scheduling a sports physical now helps avoid delays and gets your child on the path to a fun, active, and safe season.

Keep reading to learn why sports physicals are essential, what they involve, and how you can prepare, plus get links to expert resources to give you peace of mind.

Sports Injury Statistics and Injury and Incidence Rates

According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

  • Approximately 3.5 million children and adolescents 14 and younger get hurt annually playing sports or participating in recreational activities.
  • Although death from a sports injury is rare, the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is a brain injury.
  • Sports and recreational activities contribute to approximately 21% of all traumatic brain injuries among American children and adolescents.
  • The majority of head injuries sustained in sports or recreational activities occur during bicycling, skateboarding, or skating incidents.
  • More than 775,000 children and adolescents 14 and younger are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year. Most injuries occur as a result of falls, strikes from objects, collisions, or overexertion during unorganized or informal sports activities.

What Is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical is a medical checkup required by many schools and athletic leagues before children and teens can participate in organized sports. The goal is to detect any potential health concerns before they become serious and to promote safe and enjoyable participation in sports.

It typically includes:

  • A medical history review
  • A physical exam
  • Screening for potential heart issues, joint problems, or chronic conditions
  • Discussions about injury prevention, nutrition, and overall health

While it may seem like a formality, this quick visit can make a big difference in keeping your child safe.

Why Are Sports Physicals Important?

The AAP states that a PPE helps identify health conditions that could affect a young athlete’s safety and performance. The PPE includes a comprehensive health history and physical examination to detect issues such as:

  • Asthma: The evaluation assesses respiratory health to identify exercise-induced asthma or poorly controlled asthma, which can impact athletic performance and safety. 
  • Heart irregularities: The PPE includes questions about personal and family history of heart conditions, aiming to detect risk factors for sudden cardiac events.
  • Hernias: The healthcare provider checks for hernias during the physical examination, as physical activity can worsen them.
  • Concussions or past injuries: The evaluation reviews any history of concussions or other injuries to ensure proper recovery and prevent further harm.
  • Severe cardiac conditions: In rare cases, a sports physical may identify severe cardiac conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

Providers  often take time during these visits to discuss:

  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Healthy sleep habits
  • Mental health and stress management
  • Avoidance of performance-enhancing substances

These conversations can have a profoundly positive impact on your child’s approach to their health and well-being.

When Should My Child Get a Sports Physical?

Ideally, schedule the exam six to eight weeks before the start of the sports season. The schedule allows time to treat any issues that may arise. Many states and school systems require a new sports physical every year, even if your child plays multiple sports. Check with your school or athletic league for deadlines and required forms. 

Where Can My Child Get a Sports Physical?

MyAlly Health offers sports physicals for those in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, area. Sports physicals at MyAlly Health are reasonably priced at $40 and easily accessible. Same-day appointments are typically available and can be scheduled online through our website.

Keep Your Family Safe From Injury

A sports physical is about much more than checking a box. It’s about protecting your child’s health, preventing injuries, and setting them up for success both on and off the field. By scheduling a timely and thorough physical examination, you’re giving your child the best chance of a safe and enjoyable sports experience.

Your healthcare provider will also assess your child’s overall health, screen for cardiovascular and lung conditions, evaluate the healing of any previous injuries, and address any healthcare-related questions or concerns.

Additionally, our providers will review your child’s immunizations to ensure that they are up to date.

At MyAlly Health, we understand the importance of your sexual health and how it can impact your overall well-being. We offer several vaccinations at our clinic, including influenza, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to receive a vaccine, please reach out to us today!

We also offer STI testing and treatment, as well as annual examinations, including physicals, wellness checks, and mental health screenings, to promote your overall well-being. You can also receive Pap smears to test for cervical cancer and Gardasil vaccinations to protect you from HPV infections.

MyAlly Health provides confidential reproductive health services to women and men in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, area, regardless of income or age. Those services include offering preventive care, such as STI testing, breast examinations, and pelvic examinations, and determining the best birth control for you. Our clinical services are all performed by nurse practitioners and resident physicians.

MyAlly Health offers education, counseling, advocacy, and health care services to empower and engage individuals in their well-being and reproductive health. Find out more about what we do, help make a difference by donating to our cause, or schedule an appointment with us today.