The Importance of Pre-Season Physicals for Student Athletes

As the team physician for Anna High School, I've seen how valuable pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs) are for keeping young athletes safe. While these "sports physicals" are required by most schools, they're much more than just a checkbox—they're an opportunity to identify potential health risks before they become serious problems on the field.

What is a Pre-Season Physical?

A pre-participation physical examination is a medical evaluation designed specifically for athletes. Unlike a routine annual check-up (though it can complement one), a sports physical focuses on identifying conditions that could:

• Put an athlete at risk during physical activity
• Affect their ability to participate safely
• Require treatment or monitoring during the season

The goal isn't to disqualify athletes from sports—it's to ensure they can participate safely and help manage any conditions that might affect their performance or health.

What Happens During the Exam?

A comprehensive sports physical includes several components:

Medical History Review

This is actually the most important part of the exam. We'll ask about:

• Personal health history: Past surgeries, hospitalizations, chronic conditions, medications, and allergies
• Family history: Especially concerning are sudden cardiac death, heart conditions, or early heart disease in family members under 50
• Previous injuries: Concussion history, joint injuries, stress fractures
• Symptoms during exercise: Chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or palpitations

Physical Examination

The physical exam evaluates:

• Vital signs: Height, weight, blood pressure, pulse
• Heart and lungs: Listening for murmurs or abnormal rhythms
• Musculoskeletal system: Assessing strength, flexibility, and joint stability
• Previous injuries: Ensuring old injuries have healed properly
• Vision: Basic vision screening

Conditions We Screen For

Cardiac Conditions

While rare, sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes does occur and is often caused by undiagnosed heart conditions. We listen carefully for heart murmurs and ask detailed questions about symptoms during exercise and family history. If anything concerning is found, we may recommend further testing like an ECG or echocardiogram before clearance.

Concussion History

Athletes with previous concussions need careful evaluation. We assess whether they've fully recovered and discuss return-to-play protocols. This is also a good time to establish baseline cognitive function testing for future reference.

Musculoskeletal Issues

Growing bodies are susceptible to overuse injuries. We look for signs of conditions like:

• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Scoliosis
• Previous injuries that haven't fully healed
• Muscle imbalances that could predispose to injury

Other Considerations

• Asthma: Ensuring it's well-controlled, especially for outdoor sports
• Heat-related conditions: History of heat illness or risk factors
• Single paired organs: Athletes with one kidney, eye, or testicle may need special considerations for certain contact sports

When to Schedule

Don't wait until the week before practice starts! Schedule the physical at least 4-6 weeks before the season begins. This allows time for:

• Following up on any concerns that arise
• Completing any additional tests if needed
• Addressing minor issues before they become problems
• Getting proper documentation to the school

Making the Most of Your Visit

To get the most from the pre-season physical:

• Complete the health history form thoroughly before the appointment
• Bring any previous medical records related to injuries or conditions
• Write down any questions or concerns ahead of time
• For younger athletes, a parent should attend to provide family history
• Wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement testing

Ready for a Great Season

A thorough pre-season physical gives athletes, parents, and coaches peace of mind. When I clear an athlete to participate, everyone can feel confident that we've done our due diligence to ensure they can play safely.

If your student athlete needs a sports physical, or if you have concerns about any health issues that might affect their participation, I'm happy to help. Let's work together to keep your young athlete healthy and performing their best.