Participating in sports is one of the hallmarks of the student experience. Sports not only promote healthy exercise but also build important social skills like teamwork and communication. While sports are a great activity for your student, they are at risk of getting hurt while playing, especially in more high-impact sports like football or basketball. Over 3.5 million students aged 14 years or under get injured while playing sports or participating in recreational activities, with over 775,000 students treated in emergency departments for severe sports injuries.1
While many of these injuries are accidental and unrelated to health status, there are certain factors that can sharply increase your student’s risk of getting injured or sustaining a worse injury due to a preexisting condition. That’s why we recommend a regular sports physical exam for every student participating in sports — to ensure they can play safely and have fun while minimizing their risk for a serious injury.
How Can a Sports Physical Prevent Injuries?
Before enrolling in any sports activities, your student should complete a comprehensive physical and sports-focused examination with a healthcare provider. In fact, this will likely be a requirement from their school or team. A thorough sports physical can identify potential health issues or factors that could put your student at a higher risk for a sports injury. Underlying conditions, such as asthma or heart abnormalities, may not be as visible or obvious during regular activities, but could cause harm to your student during intense physical exertion. The provider will advise if it is safe for your student to participate in their selected sport(s) given their risk factors and health conditions, providing guidance and strategies to manage their symptoms while participating in strenuous activities.
Essential Elements of a Comprehensive Sports Physical Exam
A sports physical typically includes several components to assess the student’s overall health and fitness for participation in sports, including
- Medical history: The provider will review the student’s medical history, including past illnesses, injuries, hospitalizations, surgeries, and any ongoing medical conditions.
- Physical examination: A comprehensive physical exam is conducted to assess the student’s overall health, including checking vital signs, heart and lung function, vision, and overall physical condition.
- Musculoskeletal assessment: The provider will evaluate the student’s musculoskeletal system to identify any existing or potential issues related to bones, joints, muscles, and flexibility that could affect sports participation.
- Cardiovascular screening: This involves listening to the heart for any abnormal rhythms or sounds, as well as assessing the student’s cardiovascular fitness. In some cases, an electrocardiogram (ECG) may be recommended for further evaluation.
- Neurological examination: The provider may conduct tests to assess the student’s neurologic function, including coordination, reflexes, and balance.
- Immunization review: The student’s immunization status will be reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date.
- Additional assessments: Depending on the student’s medical history and individual risk factors, further tests or referrals for specialized evaluations may be recommended. This could include screenings for asthma, mental health assessments, or referrals to specialists for specific concerns.
Prioritize Your Student’s Health with Great Falls Clinic Pediatrics
At Great Falls Clinic, we understand the importance of comprehensively evaluating your student’s health, as well as the specific requirements and potential risks associated with the sports they plan to participate in. Our healthcare providers conduct thorough assessments, leaving no stone unturned to ensure your student’s readiness, safety, and well-being during sports activities. By doing so, we can encourage your student’s love for sports while prioritizing their overall health and growth, making you an integral part of their sports journey. With same-day well-child care, our commitment to your student’s readiness and safety is at the heart of our sports physical examination, giving you peace of mind that your student is in safe hands.
Don’t miss out on our annual event for sports physicals and immunizations at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, MT, on Wednesday, August 7th. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure your student is sports-ready before fall athletics kick off on Thursday and Friday.
Contact us today to schedule a sports physical for your child.
Sources
- Sports Injury Statistics. (n.d.). Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Accessed July 5, 2024, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default%3Fid%3Dsports-injury-statistics-90-P02787