Wondering if your child or teen needs a sports physical? Also called a preparticipation examination, most schools require parents to get a physical for their child when they want to participate in sports. Even if a school does not require a child or teen to get a physical, which ensures that they are strong and healthy enough to participate, it is still recommended that parents take their child or teen to get a physical to be on the safe side. Current recommendations suggest that parents get their child or teen a sports physical before each school year begins.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine both recommend that children and teenagers get a complete sports physical performed at each new level of participation.
A sports physical refers to a physical examination performed by a medical professional in order to approve a child or teenager to participate in a certain physical activity. The entire physical only takes about 15 minutes to perform and includes basic physical procedures, like taking their blood pressure, checking their vision and measuring their height and weight. It also includes a thorough check of their eyes, ears, nose, throat, lungs, heart, abdomen, joints, bones and muscles. The medical professional will look into their medical history and accordingly address any issues that may be present.
During the physical, a medical professional will specifically look for any issues that may increase the child or teen's risk of injury, assess their current fitness level, address any pre-existing injuries and assess their level of physical maturity in order to offer a report on their general health.
If a medical problem is found during the physical, then the medical professional will offer potential solutions in order to form a treatment plan. Even if a problem is found, it is still possible for the child or teen to participate in the sport of their choice.
While a sports physical can be obtained in a few different places, it is still necessary for it to be performed by a medical professional. A community health center is one option and normally does not require an appointment. A primary care physician can also perform sports physicals but does require an appointment. Many schools will provide sports physicals for their students for convenience reasons and are often conducted during normal school hours.
Now that you understand what a sports physical entails, are you ready to make an appointment for your child or teen so you can both know the current condition of their overall general health? Having your child or teenager undergo a physical is not only necessary when it comes to making sure your child or teen is in good health, but it also allows the ability to check their neurological functions, as this directly relates to their good reflexes, coordination and overall strength.
Request an appointment here: https://www.none.com or call NationsMed Spring Clinic at (832) 775-0728 for an appointment in our Spring office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Having a connection with a primary care provider is paramount for your health. These medical professionals ensure you remain healthy year-round by providing services to prevent many illnesses and conditions. These services do not always mean medications. In fact, the goal of any medical care provider is to keep your body healthy enough to sustain…
Wondering when you need to get a health check up? Read on to learn more. Many people avoid seeking medical attention for minor health issues. If the headache disappears in a few hours or your fever subsides automatically after a short while, then there is perhaps no need to visit the doctor’s office for a…
Blood testing can reveal a wealth of information about one’s health. Primary care doctors use it to screen, diagnose, and monitor treatment for various diseases. Here is why a doctor may recommend that a patient have a blood test.To perform blood testing, the healthcare provider will take several vials of blood from the arm using…
Immunizations, also known as vaccines, are injections that can prevent serious illness and improve individual health. Immunizations and vaccinations have helped prevent diseases that once spread rapidly through communities and killed infants and young children. Children who have had vaccinations against these contagious illnesses show improved health and wellness over time. Their enhanced immunity also…
Having a connection with a primary care provider is paramount for your health.
Wondering when you need to get a health check up? Read on to learn more.
Here is why a doctor may recommend that a patient have a blood test.
Immunizations, also known as vaccines, are injections that can prevent serious illness and improve individual…
Thinking about blood testing? Getting certain blood tests will help you understand your health, which…
Maintaining heart health is one of the most important things that a person can do,…