Does Your Athletic Child Need A Sports Physical?

At Health Services of North Texas, we offer sports physicals to make sure that your child is healthy enough to engage in a physical activity they enjoy. Many extracurricular activities or school-related sports require this physical for participation. We recommend that you schedule your kids’ sports physical a few weeks prior to the due date. This allows us to address any condition that may need to be resolved before the deadline. Our pediatric care team can do these physical examinations and provide you the documentation necessary for your child to compete. We offer sports physicals at all six of our locations in Plano, Wylie, and Denton, TX.

What happens during a sports physical?

During a sports physical, the Health Services of North Texas team will perform a physical exam. We will look for medical issues that may impact the child’s health from participating safely in their chosen activity. During this exam, we will assess their vital signs, pulse, reflexes, joints, strength, and anything else we find necessary for the sport or activity they will participate in. This is different from an annual physical because it doesn’t measure development, and is specific to their health and the sport they chose. If we feel that your child needs additional testing, we will perform those to ensure they are well enough to play safely.

Why are sports physicals important?

A sports physical is the first line of defense against an injury. They help our team to identify potential risks of injury. We will look at current and past medical history to determine if we believe the child can safely participate. Our team can offer tips on how to avoid injury, such as with proper stretching. For those playing a contact sport, we recommend regular checkups throughout the season.

Frequently asked questions about sports physicals

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about sports physicals:

1. Can you verify immunizations at this visit? We can if you had your immunizations at our office.

2. Can I get a sports physical when I’m missing vaccinations? We highly recommend that your child is up-to-date with immunizations before their sports physical.

3. Do I always need a sports physical for school sports? Generally, yes. This depends on your school, though. Ask your athletics department to learn if your child needs one.

4. Can I get a sports physical without insurance? Yes, you can, as we offer affordable rates for those who are uninsured.

Learn more about sports physicals in North Texas

Health Services of North Texas specializes in performing sports physicals for children wanting to participate in a variety of extracurriculars or sports. We can provide you the documentation needed for them to play. We offer sports physicals at each of our six locations in Denton, Plano, and Wylie, TX.