A sports physical is a medical examination for a child or adolescent who wants to play a more competitive or intense sport than recreation league sports, such as baseball or T-ball. A doctor will check the athlete’s health and fitness level before participating in this type of sport.
A McKinney sports physical specialist helps prevent injury or health problems. For instance, if the doctor finds that an athlete has poor vision or heart defects, he may recommend corrective lenses or surgery. The doctor will also check for other problems, such as skin diseases and bone problems, affecting performance.
What happens during a sports physical?
The doctor first asks you about your past health and any medical problems. Then the doctor will do a physical examination, which may include:
- Testing vision and hearing,
- Checking heart rate and blood pressure
- Listening to breathing sounds
- Checking for orthopedic problems
- Examining eyes for signs of disease or injury
- Looking at your skin for signs of infection
- Checking your spine for signs of scoliosis
The doctor will also ask you about your family’s health history to see if there is a pattern of genetic diseases that might affect you or your child.
They may also conduct tests to diagnose health problems, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check the heart’s electrical activity, a urinalysis or urine culture to test for kidney or bladder infections, and a blood count to look for possible disease.
What if You Fail Your Sports Physical?
If the doctor finds abnormalities, he may make a referral to another health care provider. For example, he might recommend that you see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor), cardiologist (heart specialist), or orthopedic surgeon if there is a problem with your eyes, heart, bones, or muscles. If you fail your sports physical for any reason, the doctor will tell you why. You should not participate in this type of sport until your health problems are corrected, and you get written permission from your parents and physician.
In general, most people who have a physical fail because of problems with the heart or lungs. These include high blood pressure, problems with the aorta or mitral valve in your heart, or a problem with your lung cartilage that makes it hard to breathe.
Also, many athletes fail their sports physicals because of problems with vision and hearing. You may need to wear corrective lenses or hearing aids to participate in the sport.
What Does it Mean When You Pass a Sports Physical?
If you pass your sports physical, you are healthy enough to participate in the sport. It does not guarantee that you will never have a severe accident or injury. It also does not guarantee that you will be a great athlete. Even if you pass all your tests, there is no way to predict how well you will perform in the sport.
To summarize, a sports physical is a medical examination for a child or adolescent who wants to play a more competitive or intense sport than recreation league sports. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and carry out further tests to identify any health issues during the examination. If you fail, they may refer you to other medical professionals for treatment. If you pass, you can take part in intense sports, but it does not mean you won’t suffer from an injury while at it.
