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Idaho Enterprise

Summer Sports in Focus: The Physical

Jun 26, 2024 11:09AM ● By Allison Eliason

The sports physical.  The one doctor appointment any athlete dreads.  With another year of sports looming just a short couple of months away, now is the time to bite the bullet and make the appointment for that check up.  Here are a few things you should know about sports physicals.

Not everyone needs to schedule a sports physical before they can play.  For athletes playing at Malad High, only incoming freshmen, juniors and any athletes playing for the first time in any grade are required to have a physical.  Athletes looking to play with the Malad Middle school for the first time will also need a physical that will last their tenure there.  

The physicals are required to be completed and turned into the office before the athletes can participate in any scheduled practices.  The first practice for the upcoming 2024 fall season will be August 12.  There may be plenty of time before that first practice, but sooner is always better.  In the event that the examination finds something that needs addressing before an athlete can be cleared to play, that extra time might be just what is needed to help them to get everything back on track for the season.

While a pre-partition examination might seem somewhat uneasy for some, the quick checkup can play a big part in ensuring that young athletes don’t have any illnesses or conditions that could make playing sports dangerous for their health.

Athletes can expect two main parts to their appointment.  First they will be asked about their medical history.  This includes illnesses, conditions, or diseases that family members may have in addition to any they experience themselves.  These can include anything from heart murmurs, allergies, asthma, chronic joint pain, or seizures.  A medical history will also include questions about any joint or musculoskeletal pain or injuries.  Questions about heart and lung and any past possible concussions are also an important part of an athlete’s medical history.

It is important that athletes answer all the questions honestly, even if they are concerned that past medical might influence a doctor’s decision to green light their participation.  It is very rare for a physician to restrict a player from participating.  If there is something concerning, they will do some follow up, prescribe physical therapy or medications depending on the situation.  It is possible that an athlete will be restricted from some sports but that too is not very common.  

Medical history questions will also include questions about testicular pain or menstrual periods.  Ensuring normal health and growth in active adolescents is important as their bodies are experiencing such  physical demands.  

Following their medical history, an athlete will be given a physical exam.The exam will include things such as recording their height and weight, check their blood pressure and pulse, including the heart rate and rhythm, test their vision, listen to the heart and lungs, and examine their muscles, bones, and joints. 

It may not seem all too important of an exam, but the peace of mind knowing that an athlete is in healthy playing condition is invaluable for the athletes, parents, coaches and school administrators.  The last thing anyone wants is for someone to suffer any sort of illness or injury that could have been prevented.  

Sports can be a large part of an athlete’s high school career, help keep them physically active, provide important social opportunities and even boost mental health.  Sports physicals are merely the gateway to ensuring participants are ready to take it all on.  

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