Good news: Spring sports are finally here! But whether your child is playing for Farragut Middle or Hardin Valley Elementary, sports physicals are required first.
Our AFC Urgent Care Farragut team shares some info about the importance of sports physicals below, so read on!
Why Does My Child Need a Sports Physical?
Sports physicals help determine whether it’s safe for a child to participate in a certain sport. Because of this, most schools require kids and teens to have a sports physical at the beginning of the sports season.
Furthermore, a sports physical can help student-athletes identify any potential health problems, which, in turn, can help them avoid future injuries and other more serious health complications. To better understand what factors influence your healthcare provider’s decision to let your child play sports, we’ve listed them below.
Important Decision Factors
- The type of sport and how strenuous it is
- Position played
- Level of competition
- Size of the athlete
- Use and type of protective equipment
- Ability to modify the sport to make it safer
What Should My Child Expect?
The two components of a sports physical include questions about your child’s past medical and family history and a physical examination.
We’ve listed the common medical questions and aspects of the physical exam below.
Common Components of a Sports Physical
- Serious illnesses among family members
- Illnesses that your child may have now, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy
- Allergies
- Past injuries, including concussions, sprains or bone fractures
- Whether your child ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain or had trouble breathing during exercise
- Any medications your child is on, including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and prescription medications
- Height and weight
- Vision test
- Strength of your child’s heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
- Your child’s posture, joints, strength and flexibility
Sports physicals are required in Tennessee, so make sure you stop by our AFC Urgent Care Farragut for your child’s physical! If you have any other questions or medical concerns, don’t hesitate to call or visit us.
