Why Every Athlete Should Have Regular Physicals

Participating in sports is good for your health. However, injuries are common. If you’re an athlete, your annual sports physical is one of the best things you can do to prevent an injury.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our specialists treat all types of injuries. We also perform sports physicals. In this blog, we explain why every athlete should undergo regular physicals. 

The sports physical

The sports physical is a lot like your annual physical exam. However, the purpose of this exam is to make sure it’s safe for you to participate in your sport of choice.

Playing sports or participating in any type of strenuous physical activity is good for your body, but it’s also stressful. If you have an underlying health issue, a previous sports injury, or you’re not as physically fit as you need to be, you’re at greater risk of developing a sports injury.

The sports physical helps identify issues that could put you at risk. Then, you can make the necessary adjustments to prevent an injury that could totally derail your active lifestyle.

Why you need annual physicals

If you’re an athlete, you’re probably in good overall health and may wonder: Why do I need a physical exam every year? 

You need a physical every year because playing sports puts you at risk of injury. This is especially true if you play the same sport every year or engage in the same workout routine. Repetitive movements lead to overuse injuries. 

Young athletes are especially vulnerable to injuries, and regular physicals help children, teens, and their parents make adjustments to their workout, sport, and sports gear so they stay safe.

What to expect at a sports physical

No single physical exam is like another, and this includes sports physicals. In general, however, you can expect us to:

• Review your medical and family history
• Check your blood pressure, heart rate, body composition
• Perform a cardiovascular, neurological, and orthopedic screening
• Assess your nutritional health
• Discuss hydration 
• Do a mental health assessment

We also ask detailed questions about your sport, what happens at practice and at games or events, and the type of equipment you use. We spend time talking to you about the things you can do to prevent injuries, such as warming up before practice and games, eating a balanced diet, and taking days off from your workout and sport.

If you have any underlying health issue that puts you at risk of injury, we provide a plan of action to help you manage that health problem so you can safely participate in your activity.

Play sharp, play smart

Athletes push the body beyond its limits. As an athlete, you need regular physicals so you can continue to push harder, run faster, and perform better. 

Has it been more than a year since your last sports physical? Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland can perform your exam. We also provide care for sports injuries. Call our office in Midland, Michigan, or book an appointment online today.