The Importance of School and Sports Physicals

Start your little MVP on the right track this season with a sports physical.

While you might be trying to put off thinking about the school year while still enjoying your summer, it’s important to add a sports physical to your child’s to-do list before their new sports season commences. Here’s why turning to our Marion and Abingdon, VA Dr. Anita Henley, Dr. Leesa Lawrence and Dr. Tara Etter for school and sports physicals is important for your child’s health.

Why Should My Child Get a Sports Physical?

According to Stanford, around 30 million children and teens participate in sports annually in the US, and more than 3.5 million injuries occur yearly. Contact sports such as soccer are also more likely to lead to injuries. Our Marion, VA, pediatricians use school and sports physicals to determine whether a child or teen may be prone to injury or have a preexisting health problem that could impact their ability to participate in sports safely. We must catch these problems in our office to prevent severe issues on the field.

What Does a Sports Physical Include?

Here’s what goes into getting a sports physical at our practice,

• Record your child’s height, weight and vitals
• Vision and hearing screening
• A review of your medical history, including more recent illnesses, surgeries, health conditions and hospitalizations
• Physical exam that checks the abdomen, heart, lungs and other parts of the body to detect any limitations
• Evaluate flexibility, muscle strength, joint health and posture to identify potential weaknesses or problem areas to prevent injuries

Does My Child Require a Sports Physical?

If your child wants to play sports this season, they’ll need a sports physical to participate. Check with your school or problem to learn more about their athletic participation requirements and rules. Make sure to bring any form or forms we need to sign as proof that your child has undergone and passed their sports physical. A sports physical is good for a whole year.

Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your child’s upcoming school and sports physicals. Spots fill up fast. To schedule an evaluation with our Marion and Abingdon, VA, pediatricians, call for more information today at (276) 783-8183 for the office in Marion, VA, and (276) 525-4603 for the office in Abingdon, VA.