Sports Physicals for Back-to-School

The start of the school year also means the start of a new sports season. While sports can be a fun way for students to be physically active, it can also lead to unforeseen injuries. Stacy Chavis, MSN, RN, CHFM, Nursing Manager at ER at Spanish Springs, an Extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, explains how a sports physical can help mitigate the risk of a serious injury for your child, but it’s also a good opportunity to make sure there are no underlying issues before the season begins.

When is a sports physical needed?

Most high school sports require a physical be performed every year. So, if your child participates in multiple sports, one sports physical is valid for a calendar year.

While sports physicals are not required for youth sports, it is a good idea to have one performed to make sure your child is healthy enough to participate and you can identify potential risk factors for your child.

What assessments are performed during a sports physical?

The healthcare provider will do a head-to-toe assessment to ensure your child’s mental, physical, musculoskeletal and vision health are all in good shape to safely participate in their chosen sport. These assessments can include weight and height measurement, blood pressure and heart rate readings, vision and hearing tests, heart and lung assessment, joint and flexibility tests, and more.

Parents are also encouraged to disclose any health conditions, physical or mental concerns their child is experiencing, or other factors that may inhibit sports play. The more information your provider knows, the better they can plan for your child to safely participate in sports.

Why is it important to have a sports physical?

It is important for your child to have a sports physical prior to their participation in an activity because the provider will be checking for concerning signs of possible conditions, including a heart murmur, lung condition, respiratory issues, or others that may impact your child’s ability to safely participate. The assessment will ensure these possible conditions will not be exacerbated by the sport or are ruled out as a possible issue in the future.

However, as conditions can quickly develop while a child is growing, yearly sports physicals can help identify and address those issues. We also encourage parents to maintain annual visits to the pediatrician to assess the child’s overall health, well-being and growth.

Where can I receive a sports physical?

Sports physicals are available at urgent cares, family medicine clinics and through your child’s pediatrician. If your child has required paperwork from their sports organization or school, be sure to take it to your appointment.

Learn more about Northern Nevada Health System’s 24/7 ER locations and Urgent Care clinics