A sports physical is usually a requirement for most athletes to play any organized sport. Knowing what to expect from the appointment, including the questions the provider will ask you and your child, can give you peace of mind.
If you are short on time and just want to get it done quickly, Agenacare Urgent Care offers sports physical walk-ins in Rocky Mount and Salem, VA!
Safety First
The purpose of a sports physical is to ensure that your child is safe to play a sport and is in good health. A normal sports physical means that your child does not have any pre-existing conditions or injuries that would put them at risk when performing strenuous exercise.
It is important to check your child for safety clearance yearly, as they may have gotten injured or developed a condition like diabetes unknowingly during the year.
Know Your History
The provider will ask about both personal and family medical history. For example, if your child has a known history of diabetes, the doctor will want to see any recent blood sugar readings and may run an A1C test to ensure that blood glucose levels are well controlled.
If they have asthma, the doctor will want to know the frequency of attacks, triggers, and how often they use their inhaler, and may adjust treatment for high-intensity sports.
If your family has a history of cardiac arrhythmias, the provider may choose to run a 12-lead ECG to check the electrical activity in your child’s heart. This test may also be performed if your child reports any severe shortness of breath with exertion, chest pain, fainting, or dizziness. They will also ask about allergies, previous injuries and surgeries, and any medications that your child takes regularly.
Embarrassing Topics
The provider will also ask several questions that your child may not want to answer in front of you. They will ask about tobacco and nicotine use, drug use, and sexual history. Boys will be asked about testicular pain, and girls will be asked about their menstrual cycle.
If your child is not comfortable answering these questions with you in the room, consider stepping out for just a moment so that your child can answer honestly. Agenacare Urgent Care offers sports physicals on a walk-in basis in Rocky Mount and Salem, VA, and promises discretion and privacy to all our patients.
On To The Physical Exam
You can expect that your provider or their medical assistant will record your child’s height and weight, and may let you know if their BMI is too high or too low. They will also check:
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Reflexes
- Vision
- And hearing
The provider will also listen to your child’s heart and lungs, and assess whether muscles and joints are in good order. They may test your child’s fitness level by having them jog in place, touch their toes, and so on.
What Are The Results?
There are usually four possible outcomes from a sports physical. Cleared with no restrictions means that the doctor found nothing of concern, and your child is cleared to play the sport. Clear with restrictions means they found a problem, such as a weak ligament, and your child is cleared to play while avoiding strain to that area.
Tentatively withholding clearance means that your doctor needs to conduct further tests to see if your child can be cleared to play. Disqualified means that your child is not cleared to play, as it is medically unsafe for them to do so.
Where Can I Get A Sports Physical?
Most family practices offer sports physicals as a part of their regular appointments. It may be difficult to get an appointment, however, as all the other children who want to play sports will also be trying to book a sports physical at the same time.
Luckily, your local Agenacare Urgent Care offers sports physicals on a walk-in basis in Rocky Mount and Salem, VA! No appointment needed, and a guaranteed thorough and professional exam.
When Should I Get My Child’s Physical?
Typically, you will need to get a sports physical done annually. It is a good idea to get the physical done in the pre-season, at least 6 weeks before the sport is scheduled to start. If any problems are found, you will have time to address them. If your child needs physical therapy for an injury that the provider identified, there should be plenty of time to at least get a significant head start.
Get Playing!
A sports physical is just a part of life, but it doesn’t need to derail your whole day with a lengthy appointment and wait at a doctor’s office. Swing by Agenacare today without needing to schedule first, and we will have you door to door in an hour or less!