Sports are back! this summer and into the fall; why you should get a Sports Physical?
Athletes from Little League to NCAA teams have one thing in common: they need a sports physical before they can play. Have you ever wondered why one is needed every season? Or if it matters where you get sports physical? Here are answers to common questions moms, dads, and student athletes have about sports physicals.
What can I expect at sports physical?
During a sports physical, a clinician does an assessment that includes:
=height, weight, and blood pressure measurements
=a vision check
=checking the heart and lungs to detect abnormalities
=an evaluation of the musculoskeletal system that checks for range of motion and the integrity of joints
Athletes (and, if present, their parent or guardian) will have time to ask questions. The most common questions are about sports nutrition and preventing injury.
Are sports physicals only for team sports?
While sports physicals are required for nearly every team sport, they’re a good idea for students—and adults— who are starting any physical activity that’s more aggressive than they’ve done before. For example, snowboarding and rock climbing are physically demanding sports; identifying any areas prone to injury can help avoid injuries that keep you from doing the sport you love.
How long will it take?
A complete sports physical takes around 30 minutes. If you fill out the paperwork at the time of your appointment, it will take another 10-15 minutes.
Why get a sports physical regularly?
Sports physicals are important because they can reveal potential health issues before they become a problem. By getting these exams regularly, an athlete and their healthcare provider build an accurate health history that can be used to detect changes in health and physical condition over time. The sooner a problem is recognized, the faster it can be addressed to help athletes avoid or minimize down time.
Plus, a student athlete may tell a healthcare provider they trust physical, mental, and nutrition information they won’t share a parent. An established relationship with a healthcare provider helps build the trust needed for candid conversations.
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This article is provided courtesy of Centura Health. — Contact your doctor or insurance network to arrange a sports checkup. If you belong to one at Centura Health, see a link below to find a doctor.
Centura’s network also includes the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center. This center provides some of the most advanced medical and sports performance services thanks to a unique partnership between Centura and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Here, academics, patient care, and research merge to help athletes reach their potential through training and elite-level sports medicine. The knowledge discovered here is quickly shared other Centura sports medicine professionals to help athletes throughout Colorado and Kansas.
Find a primary care provider and schedule a sports physical.
