Sports physicals help ensure that your child is physically fit and ready to participate in team sports or athletic activities. Your child’s school may require that they pass a sports physical in order to be eligible for certain athletic and physical fitness programs. Sports physicals are comprehensive health exams that take into account their medical history and measure factors like their physical health, reflexes, and nutrition and diet.
At Midwest Regional Health Services, our primary care physicians and specialists provide sports physicals as well as pediatrics and family medicine services at our office in Omaha, Nebraska.
A sports physical is similar to a regular physical in that it measures vital health factors and indicators, including:
The requirements for a sports physical may vary depending on your child’s particular sport and athletic program. Some sports like wrestling may have height and weight guidelines, while others may require a certain level of agility. In general, sports physicals are designed to confirm that it’s safe for your child to participate in athletic programs to prevent injuries and health problems.
If your child has an underlying health condition or is taking medication, let us know at the time of your appointment. The sports physical is also a good time to ask questions and discuss any health or safety concerns you may have about your child’s physical and mental wellbeing.
If this is your first visit to our practice, your child’s sports physical may include a medical history and questions about past injuries, surgeries, or medical treatment. The sports physical also includes questions about their menstrual cycle for female athletes.
Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a well-balanced diet is especially important if your child is highly active and participates in one or more sports. Check with your child’s school or athletic program ahead of time regarding specific weight and physical requirements that need to be met before they can be cleared to participate.
If your child is recovering from an injury or accident, a sports physical may also be required before they can rejoin their team or program.
For more information about how to prepare your child for a sports physical, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
