The Benefits of High School Sports Physical Exams & What to Expect
When it comes to playing sports in high school, before stepping out onto the field, court, or wherever you’ll be playing, you’ll first be required to undergo a school physical exam. This is because most local school districts require students to be checked out before playing sports so that they can avoid any injuries and the school isn’t held liable for existing injuries they didn’t realize before sending a student into the game.
What to Expect
Although not as extensive as a traditional physical exam, a school physical exam will still check out your student for a variety of issues to ensure that they’re fit and ready for whatever sport they’ll be playing that year. However, there are some sports that may require advanced checkups and will include a range of tests, including things like:
- Hernia check
- Height and weight check
- Blood pressure test
- Pulse test
- Vision screening
- Range of motion test
- & more
If your child has an ailment, the doctor or nurse providing the school sports physical will be able to provide suggestions for treatment and advice on how to manage their injury while playing sports. They may also be able to provide references for additional treatment and prescribe the necessary medication for the ailment.
Where to Go
Often, the easiest way to obtain a school sports physical is to visit your local health clinic, which will be well-equipped to perform the necessary testing. In some cases, visiting a local walk-in clinic can be quicker and easier than scheduling a physical with your primary care provider. This is because, at a walk-in clinic, you’ll be able to be seen immediately with minimal wait times.
How Long do They Take?
In most cases, unless the doctor identifies a serious injury, traditional school sports physicals will only take around half an hour. It’s important to note that any child under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent. For those who are accompanying their child, it can be helpful to be ready to answer any questions regarding their health history, and previous injuries or ailments.
Visit us for your annual school sports physical!
If you want to avoid wait times and make the school sports physical process painless, visiting Surfside Urgent Care in Laguna Beach is a great idea. We’ll be able to administer all the required tests and have your child out the door and ready to play in a matter of minutes. Contact us online to schedule a visit or call (949) 715-7278.