Most school and community sports teams require a physical before you or your child can begin playing or even try out for a team. Usually, this requirement is out of an abundance of caution, because knowing if you or your child is “physically healthy” before engaging in a rigorous sport can go a long way in ensuring that a future surgery or orthopedic treatment will not be required.
The exact modality of a sports physical can vary depending on the clinic and doctor, but some parts are universal. A physical will almost always commence by taking the pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and weight and height measurements. This ensures that your doctor is aware of the very basics of you or your child’s health – and much can be inferred from a heartbeat.
Your doctor will then check the status of other important organs, such as:
The heart and cardiovascular system
The lungs and respiratory system (ears, nose and throat)
The eyes
These statuses give your doctor an idea of you or your child’s fitness level and if there are any physical activity limitations.
Next, strength, reflexes, and flexibility, especially in the joints, will be assessed, to point out areas that might be more vulnerable to injury.
Your doctor will compare the exam results to you or your child’s past medical history, and a final recommendation will be made. It’s a fairly simple process, designed to ensure your peace of mind and to catch any potential problems. Why worry about knee injuries when you can find out early in the season if there is an issue that can be treated with a preventative brace?
We recommend sports physicals – especially for kids. We also want you to know that we are here to treat any injury you or your child may experience down the road. Being physically active is important at all stages of life; knowing your body and it’s limitations is equally important.
Please give us a call if you have questions about a joint or muscle limitation you may have. We look forward to meeting with you!
