Do All Athletes Need a Sports Physical?

Playing sports is good for your body. But physically pushing your body beyond its limits increases your risk of getting hurt. All athletes benefit from a sports physical, and most schools and sports organizations require these medical examinations.

Athletes need sports physicals to make sure they can safely participate in their sport of choice. It’s one of the ways athletic individuals can protect themselves from sports injuries.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland in Midland, Michigan, our health specialists perform sports physicals for athletes of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. In this month’s blog, we explain why every athlete needs a sports physical.

Sports physicals 101

These thorough medical exams focus on the health and function of your heart, lungs, and musculoskeletal system. While it’s a full-body evaluation, a sports physical isn’t a replacement for an annual physical, but you can have each physical completed during the same appointment.

For a sports physical, we review your medical history, injury history, and usual level of physical activity. We perform a physical exam that includes:

• Checking your heart rate and blood pressure 
• Measuring height and weight
• Testing vision and hearing 
• Evaluating your heart and lungs
• Checking joints, muscles, and posture
• Assessing your flexibility 

We also ask you to bring in immunization records, glasses for vision correction (if you use them), and a list of any medications and supplements you take. 

Purpose of sports physicals

Sports physicals aren’t meant to serve as a gateway that allows you to play your sport. The purpose of the physical exam is to make sure you’re physically able to safely participate. We also want to make sure you don’t have any underlying health conditions that may affect your ability to play your sport of choice.

If you have an underlying health issue that we’re concerned about, we make sure you get the right treatment before you start playing.

Sports physicals also give us an opportunity to educate you about sport safety and what you can do to prevent injury and improve athletic performance.

Athletes need to eat a balanced diet and exercise smarter, not harder. They also need to get an adequate amount of sleep, at least seven hours. Sleep is just as important as nutrition when it comes to recovery from workouts.

When to get a sports physical

Athletes should get sports physicals at least one month before their first practice. Getting the physical in advance gives us time to provide treatment for any health concerns so you don’t have to spend time sitting on the bench. Most schools and sports organizations require a new sports physical every year. 

Sports physicals aren’t only for athletes. You also should schedule a sports physical if you want to take up running or joining a gym. You’re at greater risk of injury if you jump into a workout routine that your body isn’t quite ready for. 

We know how important it is to get a physical so you can play your sport. Don’t wait. Call Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland today or book your sports physical online. We’re open seven days a week.