Sports Physicals

All of our patients receive a “sports physical” at the yearly well-child visit. Nothing extra is usually needed. No separate sports physical is needed at a clinic or urgent care. Just ask us for a clearance form if your child is up-to-date on well-child visits!

Summary:

  • Sports physicals are usually required by schools, and some community leagues, before starting competitive sports. The Georgia High School Association, (GHSA) requires that schools obtain sports physical clearance on all athletes once a year.
  • Recently, the GHSA stated that any physical done after April 1st would not expire until the end of the next school year (about 13 months).
  • We do not usually do separate sports physicals; we do everything needed for a sports physical (and more) at annual well visits. This is what is currently recommended.
  • If your child has had a well visit in the past year, then all you need to do is fill out the forms and bring them to us.
  • All guidelines recommend sports physicals take place in the child’s medical home, not at school, an urgent care, or a clinic.
  • The physical done at the pediatrician’s office is (should be!) better at detecting serious threats to the athlete’s health, since much of the risk is based on personal and family medical history, not on the physical exam itself.

Purpose

A sports physical, or preparticipation physical evaluation, is a screening tool for children who participate in sports and athletic activities. The purpose of the exam is to detect any condition, illness, or injury which may put the child at risk for death or serious injury or illness as a consequence of the sports participation.

One of the main goals is to detect any conditions that may lead to sudden cardiac death.

Sports physicals are usually required by schools, and some community leagues, before starting competitive sports. The Georgia High School Association, (GHSA) requires that schools obtain sports physical clearance on all athletes.

Timing of your child’s sports physical/annual well visit

We do sports physicals as part of the annual well-child visit, not usually as a separate visit. We do all that is needed and more at a well visit. Well visits actually cover the information that is necessary to determine your child’s risk better than a “sports physical”.

Well visits are more complete and thorough and are covered by insurance; separate sports physicals are limited and not usually covered, and are not a substitute for a well visit.

  • It needs to be done at least 6 weeks before your child needs it to start practice/participation. This will allow enough time for any further evaluation (labs, seeing a cardiologist, etc.).
  • Anytime after April 1st will be good for the entire next school year in Georgia, so get yours early!
  • If your child has had a well visit in the past year, then all you need to do is fill out the forms and bring them to us. Physicals done before April 1st will expire during the school year and can be renewed by coming in for your child’s routine well visit.
  • If your child has a sports physical somewhere else, it is not a substitute for an annual well visit.

Preparation

Your child’s medical and family history are the most important aspects. If your child is already our patient, we will have much of this information already. We will especially need any updates to your child’s and your family’s history.

In particular, we need to know

  • Any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or strokes, especially in anyone less than 50 years old.
  • Any concussions or other injuries your child may have had.
  • Any chronic medical problems, especially asthma-related, or musculoskeletal problems.

Forms

PPE-History-Form-(English) Parents and child complete this form.

Possible problems with sports physicals performed elsewhere

  • If your child has a sports physical somewhere else, it is not a substitute for an annual well visit.
  • If your child has a sports physical somewhere else and an issue is identified, this usually means coming to see us for that issue and possibly a referral to a specialist. However, once those results are obtained, we cannot clear your child for sports without doing the sports physical over again. Only the original provider who wanted further evaluation could clear your child after obtaining the results. However, this is often not possible. This fragmented care results in frustration and multiple trips to the doctor. We see this happen often.

Organizations recommending your child’s medical home as the best location for a sports physical:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
  • American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine
  • National Athletic Trainers’ Association
  • National Federation of State High School Associations