Sports Physical Specialist

What is a sports physical?

Many organizations, including sports teams, schools, and camps, require participants to have a physical exam before joining the team or group. Sports physicals and other pre-participation exams ensure that your child is fit and healthy enough to participate with the group.

Most teams, schools, and other groups require pre-participation physicals to protect the safety of the participants. The team at Gruene Lake Medical recommends sports physicals even if your child’s team doesn’t need them, so you have peace of mind.

Why does my child need a sports physical?

A sports physical allows your provider to evaluate your child’s health and identify and treat any health issues that could interfere with their participation. 

For example, your child’s asthma doesn’t have to prevent them from joining a team. Your provider can prescribe an inhaler or adjust their dosage to help them breathe easier and prevent asthma attacks.

A sports physical can also identify physical imbalances or weaknesses that could increase the risk of injury. Your provider can recommend exercises and stretches to help your child avoid injury and enhance their performance.

What happens during a sports physical?

A sports physical is similar to an annual exam. Your provider checks your child’s height, weight, and blood pressure and reviews their personal and family medical history. 

Your provider asks about allergies, past injuries, and illnesses, and any medication or supplements your child takes regularly. They also ask about your child’s diet to ensure it includes the right amount of calories and all the nutrients and vitamins their body needs.

Then your provider completes the physical exam. They listen to your child’s heart and lungs and check their abdomen, ears, nose, and throat. Your provider also evaluates your child’s posture, strength, flexibility, and joints. Your provider can also check your child’s vision and hearing.

When the exam is over, your provider completes the necessary paperwork for you to return to your child’s team or school. Your provider might also recommend specific lifestyle adjustments to keep your child fit and healthy or prescribe medication or treatments to manage health conditions like asthma, allergies, or diabetes.  

Call Gruene Lake Medical today or make an appointment online if your child needs a sports, school, or other pre-participation physical.