Preparticipation sports physicals play an important role in the health and safety of children of all ages who participate in sports. Whether your child will be playing sports in middle school, high school, college, or a summer program, a preparticipation sports physical will most likely be required, and for good reason. The sports physical can detect certain conditions that could put the student athlete at risk for an injury or even a life threatening situation.
OSMI only goes out to schools to perform sports physicals as a service. The physicals are not done in our regular office practice.
Preparticipation Physical Examination (PPE)
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Evaluate general health
- Identify any conditions, such as orthopedic diseases and disorders, asthma, and hypertension, which may need to be treated before participating in sports
- Assess concussion history, if any, and evaluate post-concussion symptoms that may exist
- Identify any risk for sudden cardiac death and other potentially life threatening conditions
Due to the importance of ensuring that students are able to safely participate in sports, several sports medicine organizations teamed up to create a standardized questionnaire, filled out by the patient, which serves as a supplement in evaluating an athlete’s overall health. This Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) Monograph includes questions regarding the athlete’s past and present health, history of injuries, and family medical history.
Once your physician evaluates the PPE Monograph, he/she will use it to assist with the physical examination, giving additional attention to any specific problem that may be present or that the athlete may be at risk for. It is rare that information from the PPE will permanently keep a student from playing sports, however, if a condition is discovered during the physical, your doctor may suggest postponing sports participation until the condition can be treated. In fact, many schools and doctors advise getting your school sports physical 1-2 months prior to the beginning of the sports season so that unexpected medical conditions that arise can be treated and reevaluated without missing any part of the season.
Sports Physical Examination
Primary physical conditions which your doctor will be checking for during the pre-participation sports physical will include:
- Asthma
- Chest pain or fainting/dizziness in conjunction with exercise
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- History of concussion
- Cardiac problems
Female Athlete Triad
For female athletes, your doctor will check closely for 3 interrelated conditions, known together as the Female Athlete Triad.
- Energy Deficiency with or without Disordered Eating
- Menstrual irregularities: Can be a sign of secondary amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) and hormone production should be evaluated
- Bone injuries/stress fractures: Can be symptomatic of osteoporosis (bone loss)
Based on the physical examination and the PPE Monograph, your doctor can determine whether the student athlete can participate safely in competitive sports. Because your doctor will base part of this medical recommendation on the questionnaire filled out by the patient (or his/her parent), it is important to answer all questions honestly. Hiding a past injury or medical condition can lead to more serious problems later that could keep the athlete sidelined for an even longer period of time. For high school or younger athletes, it is a good idea for a parent to assist with the medical history portion of the PPE Monograph to ensure accuracy.
Most student athletes are cleared for sports participation at the time the sports physical is conducted, but for those who need treatment or more follow-up, the exam can be a valuable tool in ensuring that all medical conditions and potential complications are addressed. In either case, knowing that your student athlete is in the proper health for the activity he/she will be involved in can give reassurance that all medical precautions have been taken to play as safely as possible.
OSMI only goes out to schools to perform sports physicals as a service. The physicals are not done in our regular office practice.