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By Barbara Kunz, Ph.D., HealthAtoZ Writer
If your teenager wants to play sports at school this year, chances are the school asked for a sports physical. In many states, the so-called preparticipation physical examination is required by law. What is a sports physical and how is it different from a well-child checkup?
Preparticipation physical exam
Reports of deaths in athletes have pushed many schools to ask for a sports physical before the sports season. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that high school athletes have a sports physical before participating in organized sports and repeat it after two years. The AHA does not make recommendations for younger children. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents talk to their child's doctor about which sports or physical activities are right for the child's level of development.
The exam helps ensure it is safe for children to participate in sports. There are two parts to a sports physical:
- A complete medical history with questions about:
- Any sudden deaths in your family
- Any symptoms while exercising, including trouble breathing, chest pain or fainting
- Allergies
- Chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy
- Past injuries, even if they have completely healed
- Medications - prescribed or not - including any supplements, "performance enhancers" and weight-loss pills
- The physical exam, with special attention to:
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Heart murmurs (abnormal sounds)
- Vision
- Breathing
- Posture, flexibility and muscle strength
The doctor may decide to do an electrocardiogram (EKG). This is a quick and painless test of the electrical activity of the heart. However, the AHA doesn't recommend that this test be done on a routine basis.
Does my teen still need a regular physical?
The purpose of the sports physical is to look at the budding athlete and how his or her health may affect playing sports. It is more limited than a well-child checkup. Your teen may need vaccinations and have questions not related to playing sports. The routine physical takes care of this. Ask your doctor if your child is due for a routine checkup. Sometimes both can be done at the same time.
The most convenient person to see for a sports physical is your child's pediatrician or family doctor. Some schools offer sports physicals at school. They will cover the basics, but may be less thorough. If something is found to be wrong, you'll have to make an appointment with your child's doctor anyway.
What if something is wrong?
A sports physical rarely reveals something new that would prevent a child from participating in school sports. It is much more likely that the doctor will recommend making adjustments, such as how to prevent an asthma attack while playing sports or how to do strength training if needed. The doctor may also offer training tips; for instance, how to change a running technique to prevent pain in the shins or knees.
Even if a sports physical is not required by your school or state, it is still a good idea to get one if a child participates in school sports. Don't wait until the day before the first football practice to schedule a physical. If something needs to be done before school starts, you'll want to have enough time.
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External Sources
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American Heart Association. Recommendations and considerations related to preparticipation screening for cardiovascular abnormalities in competitive athletes: 2007 update. Accessed August 22, 2007.
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Koester MC. A review of sudden cardiac death in young athletes and strategies for preparticipation cardiovascular screening. J Athletic Training. 2001;36:197-204.
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