Now that the school year has come to an end and summer is in full swing, getting your child prepared for fall sports when school is back in session may be the last thing on a parent’s mind right now.

Although it might feel like you're getting ahead of the game, summer is actually the ideal time to kick off those sports physicals, according to Jared Cloud, D.O., a physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Arlington Memorial, and a family and sports medicine physician with Sideline Orthopedics & Sports, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice.

“We recommend getting a sports physical at least six weeks out from the start of your child’s sport, which typically means the start of practices for that sport,” Cloud says. “That gives us plenty of time to get your child in to see a specialist and start-up or finish up some sports rehabilitation, if needed based on the exam. It also gives the healthcare providers the opportunity to really fine-tune and help you prepare your child for their sport.”

As most schools in North Texas kick off the academic year around mid-August, and with fall sports gearing up for practices a few weeks earlier, it's crucial to aim for your child's sports physical as early as the start of June!

We spoke with Dr. Cloud to get his insight on the exam's significance, its distinctions from a routine well-child checkup, what to anticipate during the process, and where to go to ensure your child's health is in good hands.

What Is a Sports Physical?

Sports physicals, also known as a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE), are more than just a box to check off before your child can hit the field or court. These exams play a vital role in evaluating your child's overall health and fitness to participate in sports safely. Texas secondary schools require athletes to have a pre-participation physical exam and submit a form signed by a physician attesting to its completion to play sports. This exam must be completed every year the child chooses to play a sport.

While both sports physicals and routine well-child checkups are important for keeping kids healthy, they have different goals. A well-child checkup typically addresses general health concerns, growth and development milestones, and immunization updates. On the other hand, sports physicals look more closely at the athlete's health history, like past injuries, family health, and any issues that might affect playing sports. They focus on making sure the athlete is physically ready and safe to play their sport.

“We evaluate their risk factors and look for underlying conditions or previous injuries that could harm them while they’re playing their sport, but we also talk with them about things beyond the physical,” Cloud says. “At an age-appropriate level, we’re talking about their mental health, their general wellbeing, what their diet looks like and what nutrition they should be getting based on the demands of their sport. I like to think of it as an introduction for them on getting comfortable talking to doctors and talking about their body and health concerns.”

Think of sports physicals as an extension of your child’s annual checkup, in the same way you may see a specialist in addition to your primary care provider. By catching potential issues early, sports physicals help prevent serious, and even life-threatening, events from occurring on the playing field. They also provide an opportunity to discuss important topics like proper nutrition, hydration, and mental health strategies to support your child's overall well-being. 

What to Expect During the Sports Physical

It’s natural for both parent and child to wonder what to expect during a sports physical exam, especially if it’s your first time. “Will it be like a tryout? Will coach be there? What if I don’t pass?”

The good thing to know is that it is very similar to an annual exam that your child may already be used to, just a bit more thorough to focus on the specific demands of playing a sport.

The two main parts of a sports physical are the medical history questionnaire and the physical exam. Oftentimes this questionnaire is sent home by the school or provided to you by the medical practice you choose to perform your child’s sports physical.

“The health questionnaire is probably the most important part of the exam,” Cloud explains. “The detailed history we get during a sports physical is designed to provide information about past injuries, concussions, current medical symptoms and conditions, allergies, and any contributing family history to help us recognize disabling or potentially life-threatening conditions.”

The medical history form will ask about several things:

• Family medical history, such as illnesses that run in the family.
• Any medical conditions the child has, like asthma, diabetes, COVID-19, or sickle cell trait.
• Previous hospital visits or surgeries.
• Allergies, like reactions to insect bites.
• Past injuries, such as concussions, sprains, or broken bones.
• Any experiences of passing out, feeling dizzy, chest pain, or difficulty breathing during exercise.
• Medications the child is currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescriptions.

Boys will be asked about testicle pain, while girls will be asked about their menstrual periods, if applicable. In older children, the doctor may also inquire about habits like smoking, vaping, alcohol, drug use, diet pills, or taking performance-enhancing supplements like steroids.

“That’s where parents or the primary caregivers really come in handy because most of the time, they’re going to know the nitty-gritty of all these questions we’re asking, especially for younger children,” Cloud adds. “If you can, come prepared with a list of any past or recent illnesses, surgeries, injuries, or conditions, such as asthma or chest pains.”

The health care provider will then perform a thorough physical examination, assessing vital signs, vision, hearing, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, specific tests may be conducted to screen for conditions such as concussions or underlying cardiac abnormalities. The goal is to detect any potential issues that could impact the athlete's safety.

What If There's a Problem?

For most student athletes, if everything checks out, the health care provider will fill out any paperwork or forms needed by your student athlete’s school or sports team, and your athlete is ready to start playing! However, for some, the doctor might prescribe medication, schedule a follow-up appointment, conduct additional tests, or suggest treatments such as physical therapy to ensure safe participation in sports.

Don't worry if the doctor recommends further tests or a follow-up appointment—it could be something simple like checking your child’s blood pressure again or adjusting your child’s asthma medication. The main aim of the sports physical is to ensure your safety while playing sports, not to prevent you from participating.

“This is why getting in early to get your child’s physical done can be super important, so that if there are some concerns, the athlete’s doctor can potentially get those sorted out before the season starts and they’ve not missing out on any playing time,” Cloud explains. “But I also want to stress that probably about 5 to 15% of kids will have something concerning pop-up that needs further evaluation. Most of the time the athlete’s doctor will be giving your child the thumbs up and wishing them luck on a good season.”

Occasionally, the athlete’s doctor might determine that an athlete can't play their chosen sport. However, this doesn't mean they can't play any sports at all. For instance, if they’ve had multiple concussions, they might not be able to play football, but they could still participate in another sport, like tennis.

Where Can My Child Get a Sports Physical?

The No. 1 choice to conduct the exam is the physician who knows your child best: either the athlete’s pediatrician or primary care provider. If this physician is unavailable, a sports medicine physician is an excellent option, as well.

All student athletes need a sports physical in the state of Texas. Fortunately, Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care has your back.  Open 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week, it's easy to make sure your child is ready for their season.

By prioritizing your child's sports physical, you're taking an important step to ensure their health, safety, and success on the playing field.