The sports physical is an opportunity to connect young, typically healthy individuals, to the health system.

The sports physical is an annual chance to update your child’s health history. It is a time to check in with your doctor to learn about your sport(s) and other activities. It’s also an occasion to discuss new health issues, surgeries, medications, or allergies that have occurred over the last year. Most importantly, the sports phyical is a time to determine risk of participation in any sport.

Medical providers will also ask about nutrition, sleep, stress and mood issues, peer pressures and social issues. They may recommend immunizations or other means to prevent health issues. A sports physical can be considered an annual wellness visit. They should never involve uncomfortable or inappropriate physical exams. They are best when a trusted parent or guardian is part of the appointment and the medical provider, parent or guardian, and the youth, can become health care partners.

It is rare when individuals are excluded from participating in a sport because of this exam. Some that are excluded end up being cleared to participate later. Important risks that would be discussed include joint problems, such as knee injuries and spine issues, as well as concussion and heart issues. Some of these aspects have to do with the age of the youth athlete, and some have to do with family history, where some have to do with the sport itself. Most of the time the physical exam is limited to things like listening to the heart and lungs. Usually, the exam is driven by issues that are actively occurring or could be at risk depending on the sport or activity the individual plans to participate in.

The sports physical is an opportunity to connect young, typically healthy individuals, to the health system. It gives them a chance to ask questions and update their health record.


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Dr. Aaron Campbell, MD is a dual certified family medicine and sports medicine physician at the Bown Crossing Health Plaza in east Boise.