Sports Physicals

What Is Sports Physicals?

If you’re raising an athlete, odds are you’ll be required to provide evidence of your child’s physical ability to participate in the sport. Laurel Pediatric & Teen Medical Center is happy to provide the necessary sports physicals at our practice in Bel Air, Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does My Child Need a Sports Physical?

If your child wants to join the 38 million other kids in the United States who play a sport, that’s great news. Sports participation benefits kids both physically and socially. In order to make sure your child is physically ready for their sport of choice, many teams and schools require that your child undergoes a sports physical first. Even if a sports physical isn’t required, it’s always a good idea to have a doctor check your child out. A quick physical will determine whether your child is up for the rigors of the sport, especially since your child’s body is constantly growing and changing.

What Happens During a Sports Physical?

Since a sports physical is designed to verify your child’s physical ability to participate, our providers will start by reviewing any medical issues your child may have, such as:

We also review any relevant information on past surgeries or injuries, such as fractures or concussions.

After we go over your child’s past and current health, we will perform a physical exam to check your child’s:

We will also take a sample of your child’s blood and urine for further testing. Ultimately, a sports physical is not unlike an annual checkup, but with an emphasis on physical readiness for sports.

Do I Need to Bring Anything to the Sports Physical?

If you’re new to Laurel Pediatric & Teen Medical Center, you should bring your child’s most recent medical records as well as any other information that might be pertinent to the exam. If your child is an existing patient, we will have the records we need. In either case, you should bring any paperwork that your child’s school or team requires for the sports physical. Our providers will fill out whatever forms are necessary after the exam.