What Will My Medical Provider Need to Know? A sports physical is a quick 15–25 minute physical with a provider that helps determine if it is safe for a child to play on a sports team, and there are two main components: your child’s medical history and a physical examination. We’ve listed the common medical history questions that your medical provider will likely ask below.
Common Medical History Questions
- Serious illnesses among family members
- Illnesses that your child currently has or had when he or she was younger, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy
- Previous hospitalizations or surgeries
- Allergies (to insect bites, for example)
- Past injuries, including concussions, sprains or bone fractures
- Whether your child has ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain or had trouble breathing during exercise
- Any medications that your child is on, including things like over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and prescription medications
What Does the Physical Exam Entail?
Alongside the above medical history questions, the physical exam is key in helping you find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with your child’s participation in a sport. We’ve listed the common components of a standard sports physical exam below.Components of Physical Exam
- Record height and weight
- Take blood pressure and pulse
- Vision test
- Check heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
- Evaluate posture, joints, strength and flexibility