Kid’s sports physicals: Make the appointment before the school year starts

Summer may still be in the early stages for most kids, but parents should be scheduling sports physicals for athletes planning on playing sports when school resumes in a couple of months, a press release from Marshfield Clinic said.
A pre-participation physical examination, or sports physical, is a requirement for most scholastic sports teams. The screening will identify underlying areas of concern that may become a risk during the sports season.
It is encouraged that you combine your child’s sports physical with their annual well-child visit with their pediatrician or primary care provider. This helps ensure a comprehensive physical exam where the provider can thoroughly assess your child’s overall health and readiness for sports activities.
“During the sports physical there is a head-to-toe physical exam,” said Dr. David Holz, Marshfield Children’s pediatrician based at Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center. “We also ask about family health history and pay special attention to the heart and cardiovascular exam to make sure there isn’t potential undiagnosed heart problems that could raise concerns.”
Providers listen to the lungs for wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or other signs of asthma. They will complete a full exam, checking joints for normal range of movement, signs of swelling, or other restrictions. Your child’s provider will review any past injuries, fractures, or sprains that might affect your child’s physical ability. Providers can do a pre-concussion screening, which can give valuable information down the road if the child has a head injury.

Timing is important for annual sports physical
Schedule exams at least four to six weeks prior to the season and practice start date, providers recommend. This gives plenty of time to act on any potential problems, which may include needed tests, visits to a specialist, or physical therapy.
Most schools will recognize the physical as current for two years.
However, it’s encouraged to have annual visits since your child is still growing and developing, Marshfield Clinic’s release said. There’s much that can change over a year that can affect your child’s ability to participate in sports.
“Your child should be seen by a professional who has adequate training to identify potential clues that can point to possible heart or respiratory-related problems both from the patient’s history and the exam,” Holz said.
Marshfield Clinic Health System, now Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health, is an integrated health system whose mission is to enrich lives through accessible, affordable compassionate health care. The health system serves Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with more than 1,400 providers comprising dozens of specialties, health plan, and research and education programs. Primary operations include more than 60 Marshfield Clinic locations, 11 hospitals, Marshfield Children’s Hospital, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Security Health Plan and Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation.