Basketball, baseball, field hockey, soccer, football, or volleyball -- all things that unite classmates within the school, city, and maybe even state! Your child has practiced all summer, joined rec teams, and studied all of the tricks. Tryouts will start early in the school year, so what could you be forgetting?
Sports physicals are mandatory for children to play on a sports team in school, meaning you will want to have that done before tryouts start.
We recommend that you get a physical six weeks before tryouts in order to identify any conflictions with what the sport will require of the child. This timing provides an opportunity to address an existing injury or improve conditioning prior to participation in the activity.
Know that each sport and state can determine what variables are on the physical, so do not be alarmed if there is something different for the next physical. Be sure to confer with the sport administrator about what specific requirements need to be met.
What to bring to the physical testing
If your child’s school doesn’t provide sports physicals, Orchard Hospital does! At Orchard Hospital, when you go into the Medical Specialty Center -- Your Everyday Health Care Clinic -- you can get a sports physical filled out for approximately $20. Make sure to bring in the paperwork provided by the school––either by a coach or the school office––and your insurance card.
When you arrive, you will also want to have brought medical records and current medications (yes, over-the-counter ones count). As a parent, it's vital that you take note of your child’s mood and behavior, because mental health is just as important as physical.
What will be tested?
Some of the first things tested will be your child’s pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing rate. Next, the doctor will take measurements of height and weight. Additionally, your child’s movement and mobility will be tested to see if there are any injuries or restrictions that can affect their performance.
The doctor will also look in your child’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat to make sure there are no abnormalities. There will also be a vision test, so be prepared with contacts or glasses if your child plans to wear them during the sport.
If you're curious about what else might be tested during a physical, click here to see an example of what the physical might look like.
What if the doctor finds something wrong?
Sit back and relax because it’s not common that the doctor will find something that will prevent your child from participating in the sport. The doctor will talk to you about medications or other ways to resolve the issue, depending on what it is. But that's why a physical is so important -- so that if there is something wrong, it can be dealt with before it gets worse so your child can get back in the game!
Orchard Hospital’s Medical Specialty Center—Your Everyday Health Care Clinic—offers sports physicals for approximately $20, serving the communities of Biggs, Gridley, Richvale, Live Oak, Oroville, and surrounding areas. We offer walk-in care and appointments 7 days a week with our great team of physicians.
Our mission at Orchard Hospital is to provide our community with superior health care. We strive to ensure that your experience at Orchard Hospital is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Our priority is to provide you with the care you need when you need it, with skill, compassion, and respect.
