Sports Physicals

What is a sports physical?

Sports physicals are used to assess an adolescent’s health and fitness as it relates to sports. This exam differs from a typical school physical as the doctor will test for any diseases or injuries that could be unsafe for the athlete to participate in sports. A pediatrician can perform sports physicals.

When is a sports physical done?

Sports physicals are recommended to be performed at least six to eight weeks prior to the sports season starting. This will allow for enough time to treat any ongoing condition if it is discovered during the physical. If performed within the right period, the athlete can recover and be cleared to play in the upcoming season.

What can be expected during a sports physical?

The pediatrician will usually start with a thorough medical history, which will involve asking questions about their history of illness, hospitalizations, or injuries that could keep the athlete from playing. The student will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire so that the pediatrician gets a better idea of the students daily habits and lifestyle choices.

After the medical history and questions are done, a physical exam is performed. During this process, the doctor will:

• Measure height and weight
• Take pulse rate and blood pressure
• Check the heart and lungs
• Test vision and hearing
• Check the ears, nose, and throat
• Look at joint flexibility, mobility, spinal alignment, and posture
• Ask for a urine sample for urine testing
• Immunizations if needed
• Check neurological function like reflexes, coordination, and strength

To ensure your child stays healthy and active, make sure they have a sports physical in the recommended period prior to starting a sport. For questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact VIPediatrics of Las Vegas today.