A sports physical is similar to an annual well-child exam. However, the focus of a sports physical is to make sure your child is physically ready and able to play for a school-sanctioned sports team, as well as most leagues and clubs.
A sports physical does not replace an annual well-child exam, so you’ll need to schedule both. The ideal time to schedule your sports physical is six weeks before the start of a sports season so that your child has time to address any physical issues or follow-up concerns.
A sports physical allows you to play on a team or league
A sports physical is required for all student-athletes to play on a school sports team, most recreation leagues, and most club sports programs. Not having completed a sports physical may prevent your child from starting team practice or competing in games.
A sports physical can help you play better
During a sports physical, your doctor will take a medical and family health history and check on your vision, hearing, and musculoskeletal health to identify any issues or weaknesses that may affect your performance or ability to play.
Once the doctor has identified any problems, they can help you address them before the sports season starts. For example, a doctor can identify if your child has vision issues and send you to get glasses or contacts. If your child has an injury, your doctor can help with a rehabilitation plan or send you to a specialist.
A sports physical ensures you’re up to date on immunizations
You’ll need to be up to date on all your immunizations before playing a team sport. At your sports physical, if your doctor discovers you’ve missed one or more, they can either administer them at the physical or create a schedule to make sure you’re up to date.
A sports physical is good for an entire year
Fortunately, a sports physical is good for an entire year. This means that you won’t need to schedule one for every sports season. If you schedule one this summer, it’s something you won’t have to think about all school year.
