Sports & Annual School Physicals (2024)

FAQs

Is a school physical the same as a sports physical? ›

Sports physicals are designed to clear a child for specific basketball, football, or tennis activities. A general school physical is focused on the overall well-being, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a child's ability to play a sport.

The physical exam is similar to your annual checkup, but with some added things that relate to playing sports. The provider will focus on the health of your lungs, heart, bones, and joints. Your provider may: Measure your height and weight. Measure your blood pressure and pulse.

Sports physicals are usually good for 1 year, though you probably will have to complete a sports form each season.

Let us know a sports physical is needed when you schedule the appointment. While the law requires sports physicals every three years, we advise an exam every year to make sure your child is healthy and ready to play their sport. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a physical exam every year from age 3 to 18.

Q: Why isn't a sports, camp or school physical covered by insurance? A: Most insurances cover one complete physical per year. A physical for sports, camp, or school (administrative physical) is not the same as an annual physical.

The doctor or nurse will also check your teen's body.

Measure height and weight and figure out your teen's body mass index (BMI) Check your teen's blood pressure. Check your teen's vision and hearing. Check your teen's body parts (called a physical exam)

Measuring the vitals, particularly the blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate and temperature. Vision test, including the test for color vision. Checking her heart, lungs, abdomen, throat, ears and nose. Examining her skin for any allergies or infections.

Your child's sports physical examination may include: Check of blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate and rhythm. Details regarding dietary supplements, medications or prescriptions for your child. Evaluation of flexibility, joints, posture and strength.

Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing that allows the healthcare provider to assess your physical fitness accurately. Opt for loose-fitting attire and athletic shoes to ensure ease of movement during the examination.

Are hernia checks required for sports physicals? ›

During the fitness check, a thorough physical exam of your athlete will be performed, including heart, lungs, and abdomen to make sure he or she doesn't have any physical limitations, like uncontrolled asthma, recent surgeries, or a hernia that might affect his or her ability to play safely.

Sometimes doctors will ask for a urine sample as part of a routine physical exam, just to make sure there aren't any warning signs of future illness. Specific symptoms may also prompt the test, including: Back or abdominal pain.

A sports physical is different than the annual physical because it focuses on reviewing your child's current health status and medical history to ensure that your child is healthy enough to play his or her sport.

Physical Exam

The provider will also ask gender-specific questions. For female athletes, the doctor will likely ask questions about the menstrual cycle and diet. For male athletes, the doctor will perform a genital check and ask the teen to cough while examining their scrotum.

All TCO sports physicals exams are completed by primary care sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons. Certified Athletic Trainers will review each student athlete's medical history prior to seeing the physicians.

What's the difference between a school physical and a sports physical? A school physical is an exam that your child's school requires for enrollment. A sports physical is an exam that your child's school and the state require for sports participation.

Sport can provide a competitive outlet and a sense of accomplishment, while physical activity can help people remain healthy at all ages (1) : It can help reduce mortality and increase quality of life. It is a major factor in preventing chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Debunking PE Myths. Myth: Gym equals physical education. Fact: There is a saying in the world of physical education: “The gymnasium is the room that I teach in, but I am a physical education teacher.” Physical education is an essential component of a student's education.

Some prominent examples include: An activity pursued for exercise or pleasure, usually requiring some degree of physical prowess, as hunting, fishing, racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, etc.