Sports Physicals

What are sports physicals? 

Sports physicals include medical evaluations that screen for injuries, illnesses, and diseases that may require treatment before your child can safely participate in sports activities. The Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri team is highly trained in sports physicals and has many years of experience providing pediatric care. 

The team can also screen for health conditions that can make playing sports difficult or unsafe for your child and tailor treatment plans to help improve their health status.

Does my child need sports physicals? 

Your child may need a sports physical to play school-sponsored sports. Schools often require these physicals as a safety measure to ensure children don’t have a medical condition that can affect their ability to play sports. 

Sports physicals screen for fractures, head injuries, heart conditions, asthma, and more. In many cases, if your child has a medical problem, getting treated for it can clear them to play in competitions.

What should I expect during sports physicals? 

During sports physicals at Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri, the team asks questions about your child’s medical history, possible symptoms, lifestyle habits, the sports they play, and their medications. 

They may also check your child’s blood pressure, pulse, and other vital signs. Then, they examine your child’s breathing, heartbeat, throat, abdomen, and more to gain information about their general health. 

The team may recommend your child undergo heart-function tests, allergy or asthma tests, X-rays, blood tests, urine tests, or other diagnostic tests if they’re at risk of a medical problem.  

What happens after sports physicals? 

If your child is in good health and it’s safe for them to participate in sports, the team signs the required physical forms and provides you with a copy.

If your child needs care for a medical problem, the team can treat minor injuries or provide the next steps for treatment. Treating injuries or using an inhaler is sometimes all that’s needed to clear your child to train. 

If your child needs care from a specialist to treat a heart problem, cancer, or another complex medical issue, the team refers you to a highly trained provider who can help. 

Many school-aged children and teens need a sports physical every year to ensure they remain healthy and robust enough for sports participation. To book a sports physical for your child, call Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri or request an appointment online today.