There are numerous benefits a child derives from sporting activities and physical exercise, such as proper blood circulation, increased brain function, and proper body muscle development.
However, most schools and institutions often ask for a comprehensive sports physical evaluation from a reputable pediatrician before a child can participate in most of the sporting activities.
Most children are physically active in different games and activities (such as skating) while others are involved in off-field activities such as science projects. A sports physical evaluation not only clears kids for sports, but also tracks their physical health progress.
This article will discuss what a sports physical entails, and why it is important for your child.
What is a Sports Physical Evaluation?
Different children have different physical abilities that help distinguish them from others. As such, it is crucial to understand your child’s strengths and physical limitations before introducing them to any sport.
A sports physical evaluation is a detailed physical examination conducted by an experienced pediatrician (preferably your child’s pediatrician) to determine whether your child is fit for various sporting activities.
Furthermore, parents and sports coaches use a sports physical evaluation reports to recommend a sport depending on the child’s physical abilities.
It is essential to pursue pediatric services in Bloomfield Hills especially if your child has an underlying head injury as a sports physical examination helps track head and other underlying physical injuries.
Why is a Sports Physical Evaluation Essential?
A sports physical evaluation is essential because it helps:
- Determine the physical fitness of your child
- Identify and address underlying physical injuries
- Reduce your child’s exposure to injuries
- Recommend the most suitable sport for your child
- Determine any doping chemicals in your child’s system
What Entails a Sports Physical Evaluation?
A sports physical evaluation comprises a number of medical tests and examinations that a pediatrician performs on your child.
Basically, the tests and examinations are grouped into different categories, which include:
- Physical Examinations
Physical examinations are by far the most important tests in a sports physical, seeing that sporting activities rely heavily on the child’s physical abilities.
As such, the pediatrician will test and record vital details including weight, height, heart rate, vision, blood pressure and sugar, physical injuries, ENT assessment (ear, nose, and throat), reflex ability, nerve response (usually evaluated by inducing shock to a suspended knee), and respiratory action.
In general, a physical examination significantly determines the kind of sport in which your child will participate. Tall children with strong limbs are likely to play basketball, while muscular kids are best built for football.
- Special Medical Evaluations
Pediatricians conduct some unique gender specific medical examinations such as menstrual health evaluation for female athletes. Additionally, pediatricians must examine female bones and joints to determine their risk of exposure to injuries due to their low-calorie intake.
Doping cases in different sports claim numerous careers of promising athletes. Your child, however, may be unknowingly doped with steroids and other enhancement drugs. As such, your child’s pediatrician must test for any doping drugs in your child’s body.
Children with special needs, on the other hand, have the right to participate in sporting activities. Thus, pediatricians must evaluate various physical health aspects such as muscle response, limb control and movement, proper vision, and bone density, before they can clear the child for sports.
- Medical History Evaluation
A pediatrician will enquire about your child’s medical history in great details: a detailed medical history helps to determine your child’s risk exposure to injuries.
Hence, the pediatrician will enquire about your child’s past and current illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension.
Additionally, the pediatrician will ask about any allergies, history of head and physical injuries, and any information regarding genetically transmitted conditions.
It is recommended that you consult your child’s pediatrician, seeing that they understand your child’s medical history better than other pediatricians.
- Mental Health Evaluation
Sports are very demanding, physically and mentally. As such, the intense pressure often results in stress, anxiety, depression, and attention disorders.
As a matter of fact, a large number of teenagers experience significant periodic mood and energy shifts, which reduces their overall performance in sports.
Therefore, a pediatrician evaluates your child’s mental health (usually in private) and determines if they are in the right head space to participate in their respective sport(s). The pediatrician prescribes the most suitable treatment for your child in case they are diagnosed with a mental health issue.
Conclusion
A sports physical evaluation helps safeguard your child against physical and other health injuries. Therefore, having an experienced pediatrician carry out your child’s sports physical evaluation provides peace of mind for you, the child, and their coaches.
