When you’re managing your child’s busy schedule of school, sports and extra-curricular activities, the last thing you need is another errand. Save time with OSF HealthCare’s convenient sports and school physicals.
How & Where to Get a Physical
With same-day appointments, walk-in careand online scheduling, OSF HealthCare has made getting your child’s physical easier than ever. You may be able to get a sports physical and school physical during the same visit, so let us know in advance if you need both. Sports physicals near you are available for $35 when you self-pay at the time of your appointment. For appointments billed to insurance, standard coverage rates apply.
Choose Primary Care if:
- Your child is due for a vaccine
- You need a school physical near you
- You want a same-day appointment
- You want to schedule online
- You want to see your primary care provider
Many of our primary care offices also host dedicated school and sports physical events throughout the season for existing patients. Options may include expanded hours, weekend appointments or walk-in visits.
Choose Urgent Care if:
- Your child doesn’t need any vaccines
- You need a sports physical near you
- You want a walk-in or next-day appointment
- You want to save your spot in advance or schedule online
Why Does My Child Need a Physical?
Schools often require students to get physicals before class starts each year. This helps you and your child’s teacher know that your child is healthy, developing properly and well enough to be around other children.
It’s also common for kids to need a physical before they begin a new sport. In this case, you and your child’s coach want to be sure they don’t have any health issues that make playing sports dangerous. Even when a child seems perfectly healthy, they can have a hidden health issue. That’s why it’s important to take your child for their physicals even if they don’t have symptoms of an illness or injury.
What Happens at a School or Sports Physical?
School and sports annual physical exams are very similar, although there are a few differences. If you have any questions about your child’s physical, your pediatrician or provider’s office are always happy to answer them.
School Physical
During a school physical, a provider will check the student’s:
- Ears, nose and throat
- Heart, lungs, skin and other major organs
- Height and weight measurements
- Medical history, such as allergies, prior injuries, sleeping habits, eating habits and any health concerns
- Menstruation history, if applicable
- Motor skills and reflexes
- Puberty and physical development compared to their age group
- Past and present mental health
- Spine and posture for signs of scoliosis
- Vision and hearing
- Vitals like blood pressure and pulse
We also provide required vaccines and may run basic bloodwork depending on your school district’s requirements.
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Sports Physical
At a sports physical, a provider will check the athlete’s:
- Abdomen and testicl*s, if applicable, to screen for signs of a hernia
- Bones and muscles
- Ears, nose and throat
- Flexibility and joint health
- Heart, lungs, skin and other major organs
- Height and weight measurements
- Medical history, such as allergies, prior injuries, sleeping habits, eating habits and any health concerns
- Motor skills and reflexes
- Spine for signs of scoliosis
- Strength and posture
- Vision and hearing
- Vitals like blood pressure and pulse
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FAQs
A sports physical focuses on whether your child is eligible to play sports, but a general school physical focuses on your child's overall health. A school physical also provides you with an excellent opportunity to ask us about immunizations.
Do parents have to be present for sports physical? ›
Does the athlete's parent need to be present for the physical? A parent does not need to be present in the patient room for a sports physical, however Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine needs to have the parent's consent form on file.
What is a sports physical exam? ›
What Is a Sports Physical? The sports physical is also known as a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE). The sports history and exam helps to tell if it's safe for you to participate in your sport. Most states require students have a sports physical before they can play school sports.
Which of the following should be included in a sports physical exam? ›
A thorough physical examination is performed to assess the athlete's general health. This includes measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. The provider will also examine the musculoskeletal system, looking for any abnormalities or signs of injury.
Is an annual exam the same as sports physical? ›
Sports physicals focus primarily on assessing a child's readiness for sports participation, while annual wellness exams have a broader scope in addressing the overall health, growth and development of your child. Therefore, make sure your kid is set up for the most success possible by having both exams!
What do they do for a sports physical for a girl? ›
Measuring the vitals, particularly the blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate and temperature. Vision test, including the test for color vision. Checking her heart, lungs, abdomen, throat, ears and nose. Examining her skin for any allergies or infections.
Do you have to wear a gown for a sports physical? ›
You should wear comfortable clothing that allows the doctor to examine joints and other areas of your body easily.
What happens at a 15 year old physical exam? ›
The doctor or nurse will also check your teen's body.
Measure height and weight and figure out your teen's body mass index (BMI) Check your teen's blood pressure. Check your teen's vision and hearing. Check your teen's body parts (called a physical exam)
What are the vision requirements for sports physical? ›
If the athlete's visual acuity is abnormal, interventions can be recommended before his or her participation in sports activities. Some recommendations advocate clearance without intervention for any person with visual acuity of 20/40 or better using both eyes.
What happens at a sports physical for a 12 year old boy? ›
Physical Examination
record your child's height and weight. take your child's blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm) test your child's vision. check the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat.
Your provider will want to know about your health, your family's health, your medical problems, and what medicines you take. The physical exam is similar to your annual checkup, but with some added things that relate to playing sports. The provider will focus on the health of your lungs, heart, bones, and joints.
What are the blood pressure guidelines for sports physicals? ›
If blood pressure is <140/90 mmHg (<140/85 mmHg in diabetic), all competitive sports are allowed. Otherwise, no competitive sports until normalization of values. Depending on associated clinical conditions and/or target organ damage restrictions may apply (Table 4).
What's the difference between a sports physical and a regular physical? ›
When it comes to a sports physical vs. an annual physical, the most important difference is the purpose of the appointment. An annual physical is a general wellness check that focuses on your child's overall health, whereas a sports physical is geared toward your child's ability to safely play a sport.
What medical conditions would exclude a child from sports participation? ›
Medical Conditions that may Rule Out Sports Involvement
| Condition Description | Is Participation Permitted? |
|---|
| Diarrhea | No |
| Eating Disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa) | Conditional yes |
| Eye Disorders (functionally oneeyed, loss of an eye, detached retina, prior eye surgery, serious eye injury) | Conditional yes |
| Fever | No |
33 more rowsA few common tests in sports physicals include heart function testing, breathing testing, blood testing, and urine testing to check for certain medical conditions. It's important to note that your sports physical isn't a replacement for routine checkups with your primary care physician.
What is the difference between sport and physical fitness? ›
Sports also involve physical activity and exercise but differ in that they also have a set of rules, or goals to train and excel in specific athletic skills. Some are individual sports such as golf and swimming. Others are played in teams — for example, soccer and hockey. Sports are often, but not always, competitive.
What is considered a physical sport? ›
Some prominent examples include: An activity pursued for exercise or pleasure, usually requiring some degree of physical prowess, as hunting, fishing, racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, etc.
What does physical mean in school? ›
During the school physical, the pediatrician will do a comprehensive check of your child's body. This usually includes recording weight and height, taking blood pressure and pulse readings, and checking lungs, heart, abdomen, as well as eyes, ears, skin, nose, mouth, teeth and throat. Your Child's Immunizations.
What happens at a physical for a girl 12 years old? ›
This will include looking at the skin, listening to the heart and lungs, checking the back for any curvature of the spine, and checking for the signs of puberty. A parent, caregiver, or chaperone should be present during this part of the exam. Siblings should stay in the waiting room to give your child privacy.
