No, sports physicals differ from annual physicals because they focus more on evaluating physical health and wellness in terms of the sport your child is interested in and its demands on physical health. For instance, a sports physical will focus in part on the health and function of the joints and muscles to ensure your child can participate fully and to achieve maximum benefits and enjoyment, plus it can help identify the need for special accommodations that can help a child with special needs participate as well. Plus, during a sports physical, your child will receive important tips that can help him or her avoid injury and become a better athlete over time. Annual physicals are more comprehensive and are used to evaluate overall health, as well as determine the need for vaccines and other preventive care. Of course, a sports physical does include some of the same assessments as an annual physical, such as height, weight and blood pressure readings and evaluations of the heart and lungs.