What To Expect if Your Child Doesn’t Pass a Sports Physical

Most schools require your child to have a sports physical, or preparticipation physical examination (PPE) before he or she can participate in any school-sanctioned sports activities. However, even if it is not required by your child’s school, the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)recommends that children and adolescents get a sports physical annually to ensure that they are healthy enough to participate in any sports activity. 

What is a Sports Physicals?

Sports physicals ensure that your child is safe to participate indifferent sports activities. During the physical, the doctor will address medical history including any previous injuries and serious illness in your child’s past or among family members. This could be any underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart and circular vascular issues. Be diligent in answering these questions as some physicians consider this the most important part of the exam. 

Your child’s vitals and height and weight will be taken and recorded and the doctor will ask your child a series of questions regarding how he or she feels to advise how to stay healthy during various sports activities. 

If your Child Doesn’t Pass their Sports Physical

If the doctor doesn’t clear your child for sports activities after the initial visit, don’t panic. It is not often that young athletes are written off from their sport long term. The doctor will order a follow-up test or exam to assess the suspected issue. Often, they will do this by referring you to a sports specialist which could help your child’s athletic performance long term. If your child is experiencing any pain from a previous injury or history of overtraining, it’s better to address that concern sooner rather than later. The goal of every health professional your child will see is to ensure that they can healthily participate in sports activities, not to prevent them from doing so. So, if you do end up scheduling a follow-up appointment, don’t sweat! It is likely that there are simply some things that the doctors want to keep an eye on to make sure your child is in the best health possible. 

Why Your Child Wouldn’t Pass their Sports Physical

Although failing a sports physical is unlikely, there are a few reasons that your child could fail his or her exam. Some underlying health concerns that can make sports activities dangerous can often times go unnoticed, so annual sports physicals are conducted to give doctors the opportunity to catch an potentially risky illness. Some health concerns that the physician will look for while conducting your child’s sports physical are any undiagnosed circular vascular issues, uncontrolled asthma, and continued complications form a previous concussion or other head injuries. If any of these complications are discovered, your child’s sports eligibility is dependent on the severity of the case. If the doctor writes your child off for this sport season, that doesn’t mean that they cant participate next year. It could be that your child’s physician or the specialist you could be referred to simply want time to get the health issue under control before they give your child the all clear. 

Sports Physicals Near Me

Although some schools offer your child a sports physical on campus, it is advised that you seek out a physician that best suits the needs of you and your family and schedule an appointment on your own. When searching for a physician to conduct your child’s sports physical, look no further than BASS Primary Care. Our physicians are committed to the care and comfort of all of our patients and are equipped to handle all of your needs. 

For more information about Sports Physicals or about BASS Primary Care, please visit our website or to schedule your child’s physical call us at (925) 962-9120.