Sports Physical

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is a physical exam that the team at Katy Pediatric Associates administers to determine whether your child is healthy enough to participate in athletic activities. Many school districts and private sports teams require an evaluation by a medical professional before your child is allowed to compete. 

Sports physicals are different from standard wellness checks and physical exams. Sports physicals are particularly geared towards assessing illnesses, complications, and risk factors that could potentially affect your child’s ability to participate in certain physical activities. A sports physical isn’t a replacement for an annual physical exam, and an annual physical exam can’t be used in place of a sports physical.

How should I prepare for my sports physical?

Your child doesn’t need to do any sort of training or preparation for their sports physical since it’s intended to evaluate their body’s natural state.

You usually need to fill out a sports physical form before your child has their evaluation. Ask the friendly staff at Katy Pediatric Associates for a form if your child’s school or athletic organization hasn’t provided one. Make sure that your child is with you when you’re filling out the form since they might have complaints or issues that you’re not aware of.

Your child typically has to complete their sports physical before the first day of participation in their desired activity, so be sure to have it done sooner rather than later. On the other hand, though, your child’s results need to be current, so they can’t have their sports physical done too early before their activity. Check with your local institution about how long your child’s results are valid.

What happens during my child’s sports physical?

A sports physical takes about 30 minutes, so be sure to have your child dress in comfortable clothes and shoes. 

Your pediatrician first checks your child’s:

• Vitals, like blood pressure and pulse
• Height and weight
• Eyes and vision

Next, they conduct a thorough review of your child’s medical history and discuss any recent illnesses, surgeries, or potentially troublesome conditions like chest pains or asthma.

Finally, they conduct a fitness check, which involves thoroughly assessing your child’s heart, lungs, and abdomen to determine if there are any physical limitations that might affect their safety while playing a sport. They also check their joints and flexibility to assess how prone they may be to certain injuries.

Schedule your child’s sports physical today by calling the friendly team at Katy Pediatric Associates or requesting an appointment online.