Sports Physical Vs. Annual Physical: What Parents Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

Sports Physical Vs. Annual Physical: What Parents Need to Know? ›

“Sports physicals are different from routine wellness exams because they're limited in scope and are focused on the physiological aspects of a child's health as it relates to their ability to safely participate in athletics,” says Luke Warnken, PA-C, ATC, a board-certified physician assistant and physical trainer.

Yes, parents/guardians must be present at sports physicals with kids under 18. The parents should carefully fill out the forms regarding family and child medical history.

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.

Matthew Snitker, Crossing Rivers Health Nurse Practitioner states, "The biggest difference between the two is that a well-child exam focuses on the full spectrum of child development, and a sports physical makes sure the child is sound and able to compete in their athletic events."

The biggest difference from a wellness exam? Sports physicals don't include developmental screeners that are essential to your child's growth. “At the end of the day, a sports physical cannot take the place of your child's annual wellness exam,” says Dr.

“In California, there are laws that protect the health status of our preteens and teens,” Dr. Ma says. “Minor patients can seek some health care for certain delicate matters on their own, without the consent of a parent or guardian.” Physicians typically ask to speak privately to patients 12 or older.

Performs a medical examination.

Recording her height and weight. 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.

CR: Usually, insurance does not cover sports physicals. It's a little bit tricky, because insurances only cover preventative health care 100 percent. In that caveat, the majority of insurance companies only allow one physical year for a healthy child without medical problems once they're over the age of 12.

Leading doctors and medical groups have called the annual physical exam "not necessary" in generally healthy people. Exercising, keeping a healthy weight, and not smoking are enough to keep most of us in good health, with or without an annual exam.

While a physical includes a full examination and a wellness evaluation, an Annual Wellness Visits focuses solely on a patient's answers to a health risk assessment. It does not typically include any lab work or tests requiring physical contact.

What happens if you fail a sports physical? ›

Failing a sports physical is unlikely, but your physician may decide to schedule a follow-up visit or exam if they find any issues. Some of the underlying health issues that can prevent you from passing a physical include respiratory issues, uncontrolled asthma, hernia, and a history of head injuries.

The doctor will take a medical and family history and do a physical exam. During the visit, your child's blood pressure, vision, and hearing will be checked. Your child may be screened for anemia, tuberculosis, or high cholesterol. The doctor might also ask about your child's sleep, exercise, and eating habits.

take your child's blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm) test your child's vision. check the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat. evaluate your child's posture, joints, strength, and flexibility.

The sports physical is also known as a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE). The sports history and exam helps to tell if it's safe for you to participate in your sport.

This is because fitness focuses on your physical health, while wellness is a broader term that encapsulates a balance between all types of health, including your physical health. We want to be fit, but more so, we want to be well rounded in our overall approach to health and that's where wellness enters the discussion.

Your doctor will ask questions about your height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and discuss your health choices and current lifestyle. The visit may also include different types of screening depending on your gender, risk, and age.

The medical history review includes questions about family illnesses, past hospitalizations or surgeries, allergies and medications. During the physical exam, a health care professional checks your height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision, heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat.

Even though athletic performance does have a genetic basis, whether a child grows up to be a top athlete is strongly influenced by their environment and lifestyle.

The doctor will look at the skin, listen to the heart and lungs, check the back for curvature of the spine, and check for puberty development. A chaperone should be present during the exam.