Sports Physical: Checking Your Student Athlete's Health Before The Season Starts

Fall is quickly approaching! As you start making a list for all your child's back-to-school to-dos, you might find your child needs a sports physical.

While it's important every child gets a regular physical, sports physicals are different in some ways and can be a bit more complicated because they are usually required by schools' athletic programs.

If you're scheduling your child's sports physical, here are some things you should know and important reminders:

What is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical, also sometimes call the preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE), consists of two parts: medical history and a physical exam.

Your child's provider will go over with you and your child any serious illnesses among your family, any of your child's medical conditions or illnesses like asthma or diabetes, current medications and various other health information.

The physical exam consists of checking things like your child's blood pressure and heart rate, measuring their height and weight, testing their vision and checking their overall health, strength and flexibility.

A sports physical helps athletes learn everything they need to know about their health and how it affects their ability to play their sport.

When Should My Child Get Their Sports Physical?

Your child's school will likely have a deadline for their PPE paperwork, so it's important to schedule your child's sports physical ahead of the cutoff.

However, it's a good idea to make the appointment as soon as possible since there may be additional tests needed if your doctor finds anything unusual.

Typically, your child's sports physical is good for 1 year, but if there are any changes in their health, let your doctor know immediately.

What Do I Bring to the Appointment?

The most common thing parents forget to bring to their child's physical is the school paperwork. Most often, schools need a doctor to sign off on the student's physical before they can play their sport.

To make sure you can get this form back to the school as soon as possible, remember to bring it with you to your child's appointment.

Additionally, if you need to, bring any information about your family's medical history. This is important in helping us understand your child's risk factors.