While school sports may not be on your mind during the summer, it’s the perfect time to schedule your child's sports physical to get ahead of the upcoming season.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, we offer comprehensive school and sports physicals for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Our skilled physicians can even provide physicals on a walk-in basis if your child wants to participate in a sport before the fall season.
The purpose of a sports physical is to ensure your child is healthy and able to safely participate in a specific sport. This type of physical differs from the annual physical your child receives as part of their well-child visits.
During a sports physical, our team assesses many aspects of your child’s physical health, including:
Our team aims to rule out issues that could prevent a child from playing a sport to their full potential. We can also assess if existing health conditions will interfere with safe sports participation and confirm that your child is physically ready for a specific sport.
Additionally, our providers offer recommendations during a physical that help your child warm up and train properly before a game to reduce the risk of serious injuries.
The closer you get to the school year, the busier your family will be, so it pays to schedule a sports physical early.
Most schools and sports organizations require proof of a completed physical as part of their registration process. Because many sports teams start practicing before the summer ends, your child will need a physical early to ensure they can participate.
You also get the peace of mind that your child is ready to practice and play, regardless of their athletic experience. Our physicians have extensive experience assessing the needs of kids in middle school, high school, and college and encourage all parents to schedule a physical, even if an organization does not require it.
In the event your child’s existing health prevents sports participation, it’s best to know well in advance so you can get them signed up for other activities.
Occasionally, a child may have a chronic health issue that makes strenuous physical activity unsafe. In some cases, that issue is only discovered during their preparticipation physical.
For instance, a child with severe asthma may not be able to participate in high-impact sports due to their increased risk of experiencing respiratory distress. Other conditions that can prevent a child from clearing a sports physical include:
We consider all aspects of your child’s health before clearing them for sports. If your child doesn’t pass their sports physical, our physicians discuss all the available treatment options to manage existing or new health issues. They can also perform another physical at a later date to see if your child’s health is stable enough for sports activity.
Call the Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic in Gilbert, Scottsdale, or Fountain Hills, Arizona, today to schedule your child’s sports physical. You can also book an appointment online or visit the clinic as a walk-in.
