Sports Physical Specialist

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is an examination that helps ensure your child is ready and able to participate in the sport or activity of their choosing. Sports physicals are often ordered by a school or other sports organization prior to participation to document your child's health and his or her ability to participate safely in a sport.

Why are sports physicals important?

Sports physicals not only help ensure your child is healthy enough to participate in a sport, but they can also help identify potentially serious issues that should be addressed prior to participation. Your child's enjoyment of a sport and his or her ability to participate fully depends on good health. A sports physical ensures your child's health is optimized for the sport so they can avoid injury while optimizing their performance.

Is a sports physical the same as an annual physical?

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.