Sports physicals are required for fall sports

Sports physicals for fall sports

If your child plays any type of fall sport, this is the time for sports physicals.  Almost every school requires a student have a current sports physical to play a sport.  This is to ensure the child is healthy enough to take part in the sport.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can do sports physicals which meet all the requirements of the local school system. 

Sports requiring sports physicals

There are several fall sports which require a student have a sports physical before they can play.   These include football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and cross country running.  Germantown Primary Care Associates can also do sports physicals for winter and spring sports, including volleyball, basketball, and wrestling. 

The parts of the sports physical

There are two primary parts to sports physicals.  These are the medical history and the physical exam.  During the medical history the doctor will ask both the parent and the child about any serious illnesses of either the child or any family member, any previous surgeries, hospitalizations or past injuries; any allergies or medications; and if they child has any trouble breathing, any chest pain or any episodes of dizziness.

During the physical exam, the doctor will typically take blood pressure and pulse, record height and weight, check lungs, heart, abdomen, ear, nose and throat, and evaluate posture, strength, joints, and flexibility.  The doctor will also ask about drug and alcohol use, about steroid use, and about weight loss supplements.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care will perform very thorough sports physicals to ensure your child is ready to participate in their favorite fall sport.