If you’re the parent of young athletes, you’re likely familiar with sports physicals.
Also called pre-participation physicals, physicians developed sports physicals to detect serious conditions and injuries before young athletes start playing a sport.
The good news is that sports physicals can be a part of routine preventive care done by your pediatrician, which can usually happen at the same time as their annual well visit.
There are other ways to get one, including sports physical clinics and retail-based centers. These places offer shorter wait times, no appointment needed, open seven days a week, low cost. But are these quick sports physicals the best way to monitor your child’s health? Not at all.
4 reasons to get sports physicals at the pediatrician’s office:
1. Better care
Physicals performed during a yearly well visit are more comprehensive than focused sports physicals. They include:
- Monitoring for nutrition, growth and development.
- A comprehensive medical exam.
- Knowledge of their screening and immunization schedules.
- Discussion about previous and current medical problems.
- Screening for adolescent-specific mental health issues (e.g., social media, safety) and substance abuse.
2. Better continuity
When you have a continuous relationship with your pediatrician, they know your teens’ health history, habits and personality. They will recognize signs that might signal a change in their health and can address ongoing needs at the same time.
On the other hand, providers at a sports physical clinic or retail center do not typically have kids’ complete medical history. This makes it difficult to address preventive care issues. Further, there is little to no communication back to the primary care doctor. In short, this exam doesn’t address the whole scope of your child’s health.
3. Better cost
Insurance providers fully cover well care visits at your pediatrician’s office.
4. Better access
The paperwork for sports physicals is good for 13 months. If your kids have had a checkup within the past year, the provider may be able to complete the paperwork without another visit.
Tips for Completing Sports Physicals
As a pediatrician, I encourage physical activity for all children. Playing sports fosters physical fitness, improves self-esteem, and promotes teamwork. I also believe that children deserve quality health care. Do not allow anyone else — schools and coaches included — to pressure you into the notion that speed is more important than quality when it comes to your kids’ health! Here are some tips to help make the process of getting sports physicals easier:
Prepare now
Check with your kids’ primary care provider to see if they are current with their well visits.
- If your kids are not up to date, schedule the visit now! Avoid the late summer rush for appointments right before school starts. Bring their sports physical paperwork to that appointment. This physical will be good for 13 months.
- If your kids are up to date, send the sports physical paperwork to your pediatrician to complete!
Know the rules
Both Ohio and Kentucky require a sports physical form to be on file with the school for grades 7-12 before tryouts or the first practice. Physical exam forms are valid for 13 months — so a well care visit in March will cover kids’ fall sports physical exam requirements. Check out the bylaws and complete rules here:
When you keep your kids’ annual check-ups throughout their teen years, you’re doing more than just fulfilling their sports physical requirement. You’re also helping to develop a healthy habit that will hopefully last a lifetime.
If you need help finding a pediatrician, contact us at 513-636-4200.
