Your child should get a sports physical before the start of each school year. Getting this specific type of exam helps to detect any potential health problems and prevent unnecessary injuries. As parents, you want to make sure it’s safe for your child to participate in a sport they enjoy.
Our team of primary care doctors are here to assist and make sure your child is healthy enough to play. We ask lots of questions and include information about illnesses or conditions that run in the family. It’s important to talk about previous sports injuries and how to prevent them from happening again, or how to best prevent asthma attacks out on the field.
Many students throughout the San Antonio school districts are required to have athletic or medical forms filled out to participate in a number of activities. Whether your child’s school requires it or not, we recommend your child see a doctor.
A sports physical involves a medical history and a physical exam of your child.
This part of the exam includes questions, such as:
The medical history is an important part of the sports physical exam, so make sure you fill out the school-required form in detail. Full and complete answers help the doctor protect your child’s health.
During the physical part of the exam, the doctor will usually:
Depending on the age of your child, our doctors may also ask questions about the use of drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements.
If a medical problem is identified during the exam, then the pediatrician will recommend a specialist or a course of treatment needed to help your child be as healthy as possible. Playing a sport can be fun, but our first priority is your child’s overall health.
