Sports Season is Around the Corner: Your Guide to Quick & Easy Sports Physicals

With a new sports season approaching, it's more important than ever to keep your child safe from injuries. A sports physical is often required for organized sports, helping identify potential risks and prevent injuries that could end the season early.

With the sports season in full swing, it’s crucial to get a sports evaluation from a certified provider. At Calvary Family Medicine in Humble, Texas, Dr. Joseph Goin and his team offer quick, easy sports physicals to keep your child safe this season.

Who needs a sports physical?

Anyone who participates in or joins an organized sports team should have a sports physical beforehand. Most schools or teams require this before a child or an adult can start playing.

Young children, teenagers, and college athletes mainly get sports physicals. The exam enables us to determine whether they're healthy enough for sports and helps us prevent injuries caused by preexisting conditions.

Adults may also require a sports physical if they’re joining a league for an organized sport. However, adults should also consider a physical before beginning a new exercise or sports routine.

Sports physicals are important

Sports physicals are essential for many reasons, especially for the athlete's safety. These exams help us identify potential health problems, such as asthma or palpitations of the heart, that could be dangerous during excessive exercise.

They also allow us to evaluate past injuries and current physical status to prevent further injuries during the season. We can ensure you’re physically ready for vigorous exercise and sports.

If you or your child has a preexisting condition, the physical allows us to assess it and ensure it’s working to prevent issues. It’s also usually a requirement of the school or league to participate.

What to expect from the physical exam

We first evaluate your or your child’s past medical history and then conduct a physical exam. During the exam, we look for abnormalities that could cause problems during the sports season. We examine the following during the physical portion:

• Current fitness level
• Concussion evaluation
• Connective tissues
• Heart and lung sounds
• Hearing and vision tests
• Height and weight
• Muscle movements
• Reflexes
• Vital signs
• Contagious conditions

During the physical exam, we screen for obvious problems. If we identify something, it doesn’t mean you can’t play sports; it just means we need to take a closer look and ensure it doesn’t put you at risk for injury.

What do I need to bring along?

To ensure the sports physical goes smoothly, bring the necessary documents and paperwork. Plan to have the school or league forms for us to fill out at the appointment. Other essential things to bring include:

• Medication lists
• Past medical history documents
• Immunization records
• Insurance card
• Family history information

If we require any additional documentation, we will notify you before your appointment. The better prepared you are, the smoother and faster your physical performance goes.

Schedule your sports physical today by visiting our urgent care facility in Humble, Texas. Call our office for assistance or book an appointment online.