As the school year begins, there is a lengthy list of tasks to complete: purchasing new books and supplies, updating wardrobes, and enrolling children in sports and extracurricular activities. Before finalizing sports enrollment, it is important to consider scheduling a sports physical for your child. A sports physical can help ensure children and teenagers are fit to participate in athletics and provide an opportunity to learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses while engaging in sports.
What is an Annual Physical?
An annual physical is a routine check-up that students receive before starting a new school year. This examination ensures that your child is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and able to participate in school activities and sports. There are several key components of an annual physical, which include a medical history review, a physical examination, vision and hearing tests, immunization checks, and behavioral assessments.
Annual physicals are imperative for children to receive to prevent and detect health issues early, update school records accordingly, and promote healthy habits. It’s recommended to schedule your child’s annual physical well in advance of the upcoming school year, to ensure you have ample time to address any health concerns and receive any vaccinations.
What is a Sports Physical?
A sports physical involves taking a medical history and conducting a physical examination to identify any conditions that might make participation in sports unsafe. The medical history includes details about family health history, past health conditions or injuries, surgeries or hospitalizations, and any medications currently being taken.
During the physical examination, the doctor will measure height and weight, take blood pressure and pulse readings, check vision, listen to the heart and lungs, and examine the abdomen, ears, nose, and throat. The doctor will also assess posture, joints, flexibility, and strength. Additionally, the doctor may discuss the use of drugs, alcohol, dietary supplements, and performance enhancers with your child.
Based on this information, the doctor will either clear your child to participate in sports or recommend a follow-up examination, additional testing, or necessary medication or treatment.
It is advised to schedule your child’s sports physical at least six weeks before the start of their sports activities. This allows sufficient time for any follow-up actions or preventive measures, such as starting allergy medication, before the sports season begins.
Schedule your appointment
“Annual physicals are a crucial part of preparing for the school year, especially for student-athletes. They help ensure your child is healthy and ready for the physical demands of sports, while also catching any potential health issues early. Investing in these check-ups promotes long-term well-being and peak performance on and off the field,” said Dr. Lina Kleyn. Dr. Kleyn is excited to be your provider of choice for back-to-school and sports physicals. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://mountainsidemedicalgroup.com/provider/lina-kleyn.
