Sports Physical Exams

Health Solutions

Board Certified Family Medicine & Board Certified Pain Medicine Physicians located in Tinley Park, Rockford, and Olympia Fields, IL, & Munster, IN

Sports physical exams ensure you or your child are healthy enough to participate in sports and other types of physical activity. They can also alert you to musculoskeletal problems, including poor posture, to lower your risk of an accident or injury. At Health Solutions in Tinley Park, Rockford, and Munster, Indiana, the team of board-certified family medicine specialists offers sports physical exams to people of all ages. To schedule an appointment for yourself or your child, call the office nearest you or book online today.

Sports Physical Exams Q & A

What is a sports physical exam?

A sports physical exam is a preventive screening measure used to determine if you’re fit enough to play sports. Many school districts and youth sports leagues require all participants to undergo a sports physical exam before the start of a new season.

Aside from checking in on your health and well-being, a sports physical exam presents an opportunity for your Health Solutions doctor to make recommendations about warming up, cooling down, and injury prevention.

What happens during a sports physical exam?

A sports physical exam includes two separate sections:

Medical history

During the medical history portion of a sports physical exam, your Health Solutions doctor asks questions about your or your child’s medical history, including:

Allergies
Past injuries
Previous hospitalizations or surgeries
Serious illnesses among family members

Your doctor also asks you about any prescription medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements you’re taking. Make sure to write this information down prior to your appointment.

Physical exam

After gathering all of the necessary information about you or your child, your Health Solutions doctor conducts a physical exam. This includes:

Recording height and weight
Taking blood pressure
Testing vision
Checking ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, and abdomen
Evaluating posture, joints, and range-of-motion

Your doctor also asks you about your lifestyle, including diet, sleep habits, and if you drink alcohol or smoke. Make sure you’re open and honest during this part of the exam.

Why are sports physical exams important?

Sports physical exams are important because they provide key insights and information about your overall health. When you run, jump, throw a ball, or ride a bike, all of your body’s systems work together.

Over time, physical activity takes a toll on your joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Regular checkups ensure all aspects of your body are healthy enough to handle wear-and-tear that occurs on the court or playing field.

Additionally, sports physical exams can improve your performance. If your Health Solutions doctor notices that you slouch or have a gait problem, they can develop a treatment plan that improves your posture and makes physical activity easier.

If it’s time to schedule a sports physical exam for yourself or your children, call the Health Solutions office nearest you or book online today.

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