Walk-in School & Sports Physicals | AFC Urgent Care Sevierville

Sports season is almost here, so swing by AFC Urgent Care Sevierville today for your school sports physical! We’re open every day of the week – no appointment needed.

What to Know Before Your Physical

Before getting a sports physical, it is important to be aware of any current medical conditions or injuries you have, as well as any medications you are taking. AFC Urgent Care requires *history of immunizations and any relevant medical records. Be prepared to discuss your physical activity level and any concerns you may have about your health or ability to participate in your upcoming sport. If you have any heart problems, we require proper documentation from your primary care or treating physician that the condition won’t interfere with your physical activity.

*AFC Urgent Care can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing your vaccination history.

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical, otherwise known as a Pre-Participation Physical Examination (PPE), is like an exam that people have to take before they start playing competitive sports. Its purpose is to check their health and fitness and also to make sure there aren’t any health risks that could get worse from playing sports. A sports physical typically entails an overview of your medical history and a physical examination with a series of tests, like blood pressure and heart rate measurements, vision and hearing tests and strength and flexibility assessments. The results are used to determine whether you can participate in sports and recognize any precautions or restrictions that may be necessary.

What’s involved in a Sports Physical?

A sports physical generally consists of two main parts: reviewing medical history and conducting a physical examination.

Medical History

The medical history portion of the exam involves answering questions concerning any previous or existing medical conditions, medications, injuries and other health matters. We will also ask about family health history, lifestyle habits and any other health-related issues. Here are some common topics covered during the medical history portion:

• Any family history of serious illnesses (like cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions)
• Any childhood illnesses you had (asthma, diabetic issues, epilepsy, seizures)
• History of hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to medication, food, or insect bites
• Previous injuries (broken bones, sprains/strains, dislocations, concussions)
• Loss of consciousness, dizziness or fainting spells.
• Any chest pain or discomfort
• Struggling to breathe when exercising
• Frequent headaches
• heart complications and abnormalities (murmur or irregular heart rate)
• Liver or kidney issues
• Regular medications (prescription and non-prescription medications, natural or herbal supplements.
• Any current and past mental health diagnoses or struggles (depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress, attention deficits)

It’s recommended that a parent or guardian be present to help answer medical history questions, as many children may not be aware of or remember their entire medical history. Most health care professionals agree that medical history is the most crucial element of a sports physical.

Physical Examination

The physical exam involves a thorough examination of your body – checking your heart, lungs, eyes, ears and other areas. Your provider will also search for any signs of injury or illness. During the physical part, your doctor will check, test and note various things, including:

• Height and weight
• Blood pressure and pulse
• Vision and hearing tests
• Your heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose and throat
• Possible hernia
• Muscle strength and flexibility, posture, joints
• Cholesterol, hemoglobin count and a urinalysis (depending on the child’s age)

The physical assessment is generally the same for both male and female patients; however, the doctor may ask particular questions based on whether your child has begun or completed puberty.

Your provider will also inquire about any drugs, alcohol, or supplements you are taking. This includes questions regarding weight-loss supplements, steroids, and/or performance enhancers, as these can have an effect on health.

Why is it important to get an annual Sports Physical?

It is vital to get a yearly physical for sports in order to spot any new or emerging conditions, as there can be significant changes over the course of one year, particularly for children and adolescents as they mature.

During a sports physical, a medical provider assesses any illnesses or injuries which could potentially jeopardize your overall health by looking over family medical history and running necessary tests. For example, if somebody has asthma, the medical professional may advise an alternate inhaler or modify the dosage based on the sport they are playing and/or their position.Your physician may also advocate for certain strategies to prevent traumas, such as suggesting specific stretching or strengthening exercises that may reduce the risk of injuries.

When should I get a Sports Physical?

It’s a good idea to get your sports physical at least six to eight weeks before your season begins. This lets your medical provider check you out and treat any conditions that might come up in plenty of time before your sports season. Plus, they can refer you to a specialist or do a follow-up, if needed.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your sports physical, otherwise you might not be cleared to play in time. It’s smart to get your physical done early, so plan ahead.

What if there is a problem after the exam?

Your provider will finish and sign the sports physical exam form once the exam is completed. There are times when they may request additional testing, another examination, or request treatment for any medical issues uncovered during the exam. Your healthcare provider may also recommend specific accommodations, such as utilizing safety gear, having epinephrine injections on hand for outdoor sports or using an inhaler for asthma.

The majority of health concerns will not stop children from participating in sports. However, some athletes may require some form of treatment or follow-up exam before they’re cleared to play. If you or your child require additional care, it’s important to follow through with the prescribed treatment to prevent serious injuries and health concerns.

School Sports Physicals in Sevierville, TN – No appointment needed.

Playing sports is a great way to stay physically and mentally fit, but just as important, sports activities provide a way to socialize, learn teamwork and meet new people. Below we explain the importance of getting a sports physical at the start of your sports season.

What to know before your visit:

• This service is for patients 18 months and older.
• Bring any required forms including a completed health and immunization history.
• If the patient has any previous history for any type of heart problem or heart condition, AFC Urgent Care requires documentation from the patient’s primary care or treating physician stating the condition does not prevent participation in sports.
• We can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing vaccination history.

What Is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical exam is also called a pre-participation physical examination (PPE). The exam assists in determining whether it is safe for you to participate in a certain sporting activity. Children and teens are required (in most states) to get a sports physical before they can start a new sport or prior to beginning a new season. However, even if a sports physical isn’t required, doctors still strongly advise obtaining one.

There are two major parts to a sports physical:

1. Medical History
2. Physical Exam

Medical History

This part of the exam covers:

• Family history of any serious illnesses
• Any current illness or previous illness when you were younger (asthma, diabetic issues, epilepsy or seizures)
• Earlier hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to medication, food, or insect bites
• Previous injuries (broken bones, sprains/strains, dislocations, concussions)
• Loss of consciousness, dizziness or fainting spells.
• Any chest pain or discomfort
• Difficulty breathing when working out or exercising
• Frequent headaches
• heart problems (murmur or irregular heart beat)
• liver or kidney problems
• Any medicines that you regularly take. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, natural or herbal supplements.
• Mental health (depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress, and attention deficits)

It is very important that a parent or guardian is available to help answer the medical history questions as many children may not know or remember their entire individual or family’s medical history. Most health care professionals agree that medical history is the most important aspect of the sports physical examination.

Physical examination

After the medical history portion of the exam, the physician or health care provider will usually perform the following:

• Record your height as well as weight.
• Test your blood pressure and check your pulse
• Perform vision and hearing tests
• Examine your heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose, and throat
• Test for hernia
• Check your muscle strength and flexibility, posture, joints
• Depending on the child’s age the provider may check cholesterol, hemoglobin count, and perform a urinalysis.

The majority of the physical exam will be identical for both females and males. However, the doctor may ask different questions depending if the individual has started or gone through puberty.

The medical provider will additionally ask about any use of drugs, alcohol, or dietary supplements. This may include questions regarding the use of weight-loss supplements, steroids and/or other performance enhancers since these can impact an individual’s health.

Why Is a Sports Physical Important?

During the sports physical, the medical provider looks for any diseases or injuries that could make it unsafe for a person to participate by reviewing the family’s medical history and ensuring additional tests are performed if necessary. For instance, if you have asthma, a medical professional may suggest a different inhaler or adjust the dosage depending on the sport you are playing and/or your position. Your doctor may also have some training suggestions  for preventing injuries. For instance, they might suggest particular stretching or strengthening exercises that help protect against injuries.

When should I get a Sports Physical?

Getting an annual sports physical is usually sufficient. You should try to have your sports physical done six to eight weeks before your season starts. That way, if the medical provider needs to treat a condition, refer you to a specialist, or do a follow-up exam, there will be enough time before your sports season begins to be cleared to play. Nobody will be happy if your sports physical is the day before sports practice starts and something comes up that needs to be addressed before you can suit up.

What if there is a problem after the exam?

After finishing the exam, the provider will usually complete and sign the sports physical exam form, but sometimes they may request additional testing, a follow-up examination, or recommend treatment for any medical issues discovered during the exam. It is also possible the health care provider might recommend certain modifications:

• Like using special protective equipment
• If playing outdoor sports, carrying epinephrine shots with you for severe insect allergies
• Using an inhaler if you have asthma

The great majority health concerns won’t prevent kids from participating in sports, but occasionally they may need treatment and a follow-up exam in order to play.

Finally, remember that even if you have a sports physical every season, if it is not a complete physical exam, you should still receive a comprehensive health exam annually.