SPORTS PHYSICAL
It is hard to believe that we are already preparing for the fall sports season. My son recently went to football camp and it brought to mind the fact that many students are due for their sports participation physical – required every other year by the state athletic association. While getting a physical may seem like a hassle for parents and students alike, it is an important step in assessing the health of your child.
Lifestyle assessment. A sports physical is a great way to have face-to-face time with your family’s health care provider – giving you the opportunity to discuss your family’s lifestyle and how it impacts your lives. Drug and alcohol use should always be discussed during this encounter, as this continues to be a problem with our youth.
Addressing potential conditions. As with any physical exam, your child’s and family’s health history will be discussed in order to assist the physician in looking for potential problems. A head-to-toe examination includes monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate. Growth patterns and potential for injury are assessed as well.
Most students receive a clean bill of health prior to participation. But if a medical condition is detected, parents should rest assured that appropriate preventative measures can be implemented prior to participation in a sport. For example, asthma will not prevent a child from participating in sports, as long as appropriate medications are used prior to, during, and after participation in order to prevent an attack.
Monitoring obesity. Youth obesity can lead to long-term complications. So it is important that you use this time with your physician to address and monitor obesity, if applicable.
Establishing relationships. Sports physicals take on an important personal aspect because it’s important your child become comfortable with a health care provider. In case of injury, your child will be more reassured by a physician that is familiar to him/her and thus make the visit less stressful.
The sports physical is a valuable tool – it gives you the opportunity to discuss health and lifestyle concerns with your child and physician; helps your child establish a comfortable relationship with a medical professional; is an important step in practicing preventative medicine; and can detect potential problems before they occur. As parents, it is our responsibility to be certain that our child’s participation in sports is safe and healthy!
