Playing School Sports Requires a Sports Physical in Smyrna, GA
Four experienced, skilled, licensed pediatric medical doctors make up the team of professionals at the Atlanta Pediatric Partners in Smyrna, GA, provide many types of medical services including physicals. Schools mandate that students who wish to participate in a sports program must have a sports physical. Our staff explain to parents what a sports physical is and why a child must have this physical compared with other types of exams.
Sports Physical Versus Other Types of Child Exams
Atlanta Pediatric Partners in Smyrna, GA, explain that your child may require a few different types of physicals, so we will define each.
Sports or Camp Physical: This physical is required if your child wants to go to camp and screen your child for pre-existing medical conditions to keep them safe. These physicals are good for one year. Bathe and shampoo the night before and wear comfortable clothing.
Sports Physical: This physical exam ensures your child can play school sports safely and prevent injuries. A sports physical is more in-depth than a school physical. The doctor will,
- Examine your child
- Talk about their health and medical history
- Screens for high-risk conditions for injury/illness/health problems
- Enhances safety
Physical Exam: This examination, known as a well-check is done yearly and evaluates the child's general health.
School Physical: This physical is required before school to make sure your child is fit to meet the school year. This physical is good until the next school year.
There are benefits to having a sport physical, such as enhancing muscles/bone strength/controlling weight/improving circulation/reducing blood pressure/improving immunity/reducing bad cholesterol.
Your child should have a bath and shampoo the night before and wear comfortable clothing. Encourage your child to answer health questions.
During your sports physical, the doctor can ask many questions about your medical history and do a physical exam from head to toe. The doctor will screen you for the following. Some questions are meant for boys, and some for girls.
- Alcohol/tobacco/drug use
- Allergies/asthma
- Fitness level
- Fainting history
- Eating habits/weight
- Immunizations
- Medications taken
- Menstruation history
- Mental health history
- Surgeries/fractures/concussions
- Access vision/hearing/nose/throat
- Access muscular/skeletal systems
- Access abdomen
- Listen to heart/lungs
- Document height/weight
- Blood pressure/heart rate
Kids love and adore our pediatricians at the Atlanta Pediatric Partners in Smyrna, GA and are ready to answer your need for your child's physical examination for camp, school, sports, or annual wellness exams. Call them at (404) 699-1339 today to schedule your child's appointment.