Ooltewah Middle and Elementary spring sports are finally upon us! We know that your student athletes are excited, but they have to get a sports physical before they can fully participate. Why, you ask?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah has some answers, so read on!

Who Needs a Sports Physical?

Most states, like Tennessee, require all student athletes complete a sports physical before participating in any school-sanctioned sport.

If your child is playing in a non-school-sanctioned sporting league, the requirements may be a little different, but we’d still recommend that he or she gets a sports physical first. If you are unsure what to expect as a parent when taking your child to get his or her sports physical, we’ve listed the common components below.

Common Aspects of Sports Physicals

• 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
• Strength of your child’s heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
• Your child’s posture, joints, strength and flexibility

Can My Child Fail the Sports Physical?

It’s definitely possible. Don’t fret, though, because if your child doesn’t pass the physical on the first try, it shouldn’t be cause for immediate concern. It could be something as simple as rechecking blood pressure a week or two after the physical!

Plus, even if your child fails the physical the first time, it’s still quite unlikely that your child would be totally disqualified from playing sports. If your doctor does find something concerning, like something along the lines of what we’ve listed below, he or she will likely provide suggestions or treatments to better keep your child safe.

Causes for Concern in Sports Physicals

• Previous illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes
• Past bone breaks or muscle tears
• Poor heart health
• Allergies to different bug bites, stings, etc.

Make sure to get your child’s sports physical first! We offer them at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah, so don’t hesitate to stop by today.