Sports Physical Exams

 

You already know that playing sports helps keep you fit. You also know that sports are a fun way to socialize and meet people. But you might not know why it’s so important to get a sports physical at the beginning of your sports season.

What Is a Sports Physical?

In the sports medicine field, the sports physical exam is known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE). The exam helps determine whether it’s safe for you to participate in a certain sport. Most states actually require that kids and teens have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season. But even if a sports physical exam isn’t required, doctors still highly recommend getting one.

The two main parts to a sports physical are the medical history and the physical exam.

Medical History

This part of the exam includes questions about:

• Serious illnesses among family members.
• Illnesses that you had when you were younger or may have now, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy.
• Previous hospitalizations or surgeries.
• Allergies (to insect bites, for example).
• Past injuries (including sprains or bone fractures).
• Whether you've ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain, or had trouble breathing during exercise.
• Any medications that you are on (including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and prescription medications).

The medical history questions are usually on a form that you can bring home, so ask your parents to help you fill in the answers. If possible, ask both parents about family medical history.

Answer the questions as well as you can. Try not to guess the answers or give answers you think your doctor wants.

Looking at patterns of illness in your family is a good way to consider possible conditions you may have. Most sports medicine doctors believe the medical history is the most important part of the sports physical exam, so take time to answer the questions carefully. It’s unlikely that your answers will prevent you from playing your sports.

Physical Examination

During the physical part of the exam, the doctor will usually:

• Record your height and weight.
• Take a blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm).
• Test your vision.
• Check your heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat.
• Evaluate your posture, joints, strength, and flexibility.

Although most of the exam will be the same for males and females, if a person has started or already gone through puberty, the doctor may ask girls and guys different questions. For example, if a girl is heavily involved in a lot of active sports, the doctor may ask her about her period and diet to make sure she doesn’t have something like female athlete triad (poor nutrition, irregular or absent periods, and weak bones).

A doctor will also ask questions about use of drugs, alcohol, or dietary supplements, including steroids or other “performance enhancers” and weight-loss supplements, because these can affect a person’s health.

At the end of your exam, the doctor will either fill out and sign a form if everything checks out OK or, in some cases, recommend a follow-up exam, additional tests, or specific treatment for medical problems.

Why Is a Sports Physical Important

A sports physical can help you find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with your participation in a sport. For example, if you have frequent asthma attacks but are a starting forward in soccer, a doctor might be able to prescribe a different type of inhaler or adjust the dosage so that you can breathe more easily when you run.

Your doctor may even have some good training tips and be able to give you some ideas for avoiding injuries. For example, he or she may recommend certain stretching or strengthening activities, that help prevent injuries. A doctor also can identify risk factors that are linked to specific sports. Advice like this will make you a better, stronger athlete.

When & Where Should I Go for a Sports Physical?

Some people go to their own doctor for a sports physical; others have one at school. During school physicals, you may go to half a dozen or so “stations” set up in the gym; each one is staffed by a medical professional who gives you a specific part of the physical exam.

If your school offers the exam, it’s convenient to get it done there. But even if you have a sports physical at school, it’s a good idea to see your regular doctor for an exam as well. Your doctor knows you — and your health history — better than anyone you talk to briefly in a gym.

If your state requires sports physicals, you’ll probably have to start getting them when you’re in seventh grade. Even if sports physicals aren’t required by your school or state, it’s still smart to get them if you participate in school sports. And if you compete regularly in a sport before ninth grade, you should begin getting these exams even earlier.

Getting a sports physical once a year is usually adequate. If you’re healing from a major injury, like a broken wrist or ankle, however, get checked out after it’s healed before you start practicing or playing again.

You should have your physical about 6 weeks before your sports season begins so there’s enough time to follow up on something, if necessary. Neither you nor your doctor will be very happy if your sports physical is the day before baseball practice starts and it turns out there’s something that needs to be taken care of before you can suit up.

What If There's a Problem?

What happens if you don’t get the OK from your own doctor and have to see a specialist? Does that mean you won’t ever be able to letter in softball or hockey? Don’t worry if your doctor asks you to have other tests or go for a follow-up exam — it could be something as simple as rechecking your blood pressure a week or two after the physical.

Your doctor’s referral to a specialist may help your athletic performance. For example, if you want to try out for your school’s track team but get a slight pain in your knee every time you run, an orthopedist or sports medicine specialist can help you figure out what’s going on. Perhaps the pain comes from previous overtraining or poor running technique. Maybe you injured the knee a long time ago and it never totally healed. Or perhaps the problem is as simple as running shoes that don’t offer enough support. Chances are, a doctor will be able to help you run without the risk of further injury to the knee by giving you suggestions or treatment before the sports season begins.

It’s very unlikely that you’ll be disqualified from playing sports. The ultimate goal of the sports physical is to make sure you’re safe while playing sports, not to stop you from playing. Most of the time, a specialist won’t find any reason to prevent you from playing your sport.