Sports Physicals Q&A

What are sports physicals?

Physicals are vital tools medical providers use to evaluate health. Your child undergoes some type of physical exam every time they come in to see their provider at Pediatric Care of Chelsea.

 

However, during a sports physical, they use the information they gather during a physical exam to assess your child’s health, evaluate their development, and diagnose health conditions to allow them to participate safely in sports. 

 

Though physicals are an essential part of health care, no single exam is like another. 

What can my child expect during a sports physical?

 

The specifics of your child’s sports physical at Pediatric Care of Chelsea depends on their age, medical history, and health concerns. In general, you can expect your provider to review your child’s weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rate.

 

They listen to the lungs and heart and evaluate their eyes, ears, nose, and throat. The team may also perform a vision and hearing test before evaluating your child’s muscles, joints, and reflexes. 

 

After the physical, the team may recommend updating vaccinations or performing additional tests to further evaluate your child’s health. Then, they complete any of the required paperwork.

 

Because sports physicals may require additional steps, the team encourages you to schedule these exams at least a month before they practice for their sport.

 

Sports physicals are special exams children and teens need before they can participate in an organized sport. The purpose of these exams is to make sure your child can play their sport of choice with little risk of getting hurt.

Are there other types of physicals?

 

Pediatric Care of Chelsea also offers other types of physicals your child may need, including:

Annual physical exam

 

The annual physical exam is the most comprehensive physical exam of the year. This exam evaluates your child’s health, growth, and development.

School physical

 

The school physical focuses on your child’s overall health and vaccination records. Many schools require children to have vaccines before starting school, or have medical explanations for why they can’t get vaccinated. 

 

Sports physicals are tailored to your child’s needs, and help monitor your child’s health while they enjoy their sport. Call Pediatric Care of Chelesea or schedule your child’s sports physical online today.