From South Knoxville Elementary to Vine Middle School, sports physicals are necessary before your child can hit the field or diamond. But, why?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway highlights the necessities of a sports physical below, so read on!

What Do Sports Physicals Entail?

Sports physicals help determine whether or not it’s safe for your child to participate in a certain sport. Most states, like Tennessee, actually require that kids and teens have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season.

To figure out if your child is ready for sports or not, doctors will check the medical history of your child, along with performing a physical exam. This means that alongside information such as previous hospitalizations and illnesses, doctors will evaluate blood pressure, vision and more. We’ve listed the common aspects of a sports physical below.

Aspects of Sports Physical

• Serious illnesses among family members illnesses that you had when you were younger or may have now, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
• Allergies
• Past injuries, including concussions, sprains or bone fractures
• Whether your child ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain or had trouble breathing during exercise
• Any medications your child is on, including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and prescription medications
• Height and weight
• Strength of your child’s heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
• Your child’s posture, joints, strength and flexibility

What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Pass the Physical?

If your child doesn’t pass the physical on the first try, it shouldn’t be cause for immediate concern. It could be something as simple as rechecking blood pressure a week or two after the physical!

Plus, it’s very unlikely that your child would be disqualified from playing sports. The ultimate goal of the sports physical is to make sure your child is safe while playing sports, not to stop him or her from playing. So, if your doctor finds something concerning, he or she will likely provide suggestions or treatments to better keep your child safe.

Causes for Concern in Sports Physicals

• Previous illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes
• Past bone breaks or muscle tears
• Poor heart health
• Allergies to different bug bites, stings, etc.

Make sure to get your child’s sports physical first! We offer them at AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway, so don’t hesitate to stop by today.