Sports Physicals

Booking a sports physical for your child ahead of any athletic season puts your mind at ease about their risks for athletic injuries and health concerns triggered by exercise. Aisha Bailey, DO, and the team at ASK Pediatric Services in Tallahassee, Florida, provide sports physicals for young athletes at all skill levels. Book a sports physical for your child over the phone or online at ASK Pediatric Services today.

What are sports physicals?

Sports physicals are physical examinations that your child gets through their pediatrician. The team at ASK Pediatric Services frequently sees young athletes from beginner to intermediate and advanced to get the sports physicals needed to show that they’re ready to participate. 

A sports physical is not quite the same as a general pediatric physical and should not take the place of your child’s scheduled preventive care visit. 

Instead, a sports physical evaluates your child’s health and wellness in relation to physical activity. The results show their preparedness to engage in a sport or physical activity of their choice. 

Your child’s sports physical might result in a new diagnosis or new treatments for a diagnosis you already knew about. By showing that your child is managing any conditions or injuries that could put them at risk during sports, they may still be able to participate among their peers. 

What are some of the components of a sports physical?

Sports physicals at ASK Pediatric Services are detailed and include multiple assessments. After going over your child’s medical history and visually examining them, the team begins the process of providing vision tests, recording your child’s height and weight, and taking their vital signs. 

In addition to the tests and exams included in a typical visit for your child at ASK Pediatric Services, a sports physical includes:

Cardiac assessment

A cardiac assessment evaluates the health and function of your child’s heart. Exercise increases their heart rate, so you want to be aware of any heart conditions or potential issues ahead of time. 

Musculoskeletal assessment

A musculoskeletal assessment evaluates your child’s risk for injuries like broken bones, sprains, and strains. These are common among athletes. The team tests your child’s baseline strength and flexibility. 

Why are sports physicals important?

It’s important that your child gets a sports physical before starting a sports season, whether they play at school, in a club, or independently. These physicals show a picture of your child’s health and wellness and indicate that your child can safely participate among their peers. 

The results of a sports physical can show illnesses and health issues that need to be addressed before your child participates in regular exercise. 

Conditions like arrhythmias, asthma, and blood pressure problems can put your child at risk of health problems during exercise, so it’s important to be aware of them and take the necessary steps to safely mitigate your child’s risks.

Schedule your child’s next sports physical before any new or continuing activity by calling ASK Pediatric Services or reserving an appointment online today.