Sports physicals are required in order for children to participate in athletics. These medical exams ensure children are healthy enough to participate and may identify underlying conditions. Youth sports are typically less strenuous and competitive in the learning stages but it is still important for parents as well as coaches to know if a child has special needs so they can keep them safe.
Where to Get a Physical
Some children get the required forms filled out at their annual checkups from their pediatricians. Because these forms are very detailed, other parents take their children to a specialist for their Sports Physical in Menifee CA. A medical professional who focuses on determining whether children are healthy and fit enough to participate in organized sports may be the ideal person to perform this physical.
It’s important for parents to choose a doctor who is willing to spend enough time with their child to properly assess their fitness. Regardless of how long a child has already been participating in athletics, this annual checkup is important. Young people grow and change quickly. A lot could change from one year to the next and a quick physical could miss an underlying condition that should disqualify a child from participating.
Why Should Every Young Athlete Have a Physical
Every child, whether they participate in organized sports through their school or through a community organization, should have an annual physical. These exams might not be required for community leagues but having one could help a parent identify a condition that might limit their child’s participation. When a medical professional does a Sports Physical in Menifee CA, they check for heart conditions, breathing problems and issues with bones or joints that the parents may not have been aware of prior to the physical. Having one of these conditions might not disqualify a child from sports but it might mean the child needs special accommodations, such as more breaks than other children.
Parents should plan for a sports physical well before the season begins. Medical offices like Total Care Family Medical Center tend to be very busy with these physicals early in the school year. Having the physical early could ensure the child is ready for the first day of practice and fit enough to compete.