Most teens who participate in sports are anxious to get in the
game. For their safety, however, many schools require a sports
physical, also called a pre-participation exam (PPE), before an
athlete is cleared to play. In the United States, millions of
athletes -- including teens -- undergo sports physicals
before they can begin competing.
Why are sports physicals necessary?
Sports physicals
are intended to determine if an athlete is healthy enough to
participate in sports and to help minimize the risk of
sports-related injuries. Athletes are seeking medical clearance so
they can train and compete safely.
The physical is designed to identify any high-risk disorder or
condition that might affect an athlete's ability to play. The exam
might also help determine the athlete's safe level of activity,
which can have an impact on performance. If an existing injury or
potential problem is identified during the sports exam, action can
be taken to avoid future problems and to rehabilitate an existing
injury.
The extent of the physical varies among doctors, but the goals
of the exam are generally the same. Among the goals of the exam are
to evaluate:
- The athlete's general health
- The athlete's current fitness level
- Any existing injuries
- Any condition that might increase the athlete's risk of
injury
- The athlete's level of physical maturity
When are sports physical done?
There is no hard and
fast rule about when an athlete should have a participation
physical, but six weeks before the start of the sport season begins
is often recommended. This timing provides an opportunity to
rehabilitate an existing injury or improve conditioning prior to
participation in the activity. Proper conditioning is important
because it can help prevent future injuries.
If the timing of the physical is too near the start of the
season, there might not be time for an athlete to address any
condition or injury, and the athlete might not be cleared to
play.
In some cases, if there is not enough time to get healthy, an
athlete might have to sit out part of the season.
Who conducts sports physicals?
The athlete's
personal doctor might perform the exam. In some cases, the school
will set aside time for a doctor or doctors to conduct sports
physicals on site. In some cases, a physician's assistant or
athletic trainer will assist with the exams.
What happens during a sports physical?
There are
two components of the physical: the medical history and the
physical exam. The history is an important tool in identifying
conditions that might affect an individual's ability to participate
and/or perform in sports. Issues addressed during the history
include:
- Status of immunizations, particularly tetanus
- History of excessive weight loss or gain (This can suggest an
eating disorder, such as anorexia or crash dieting.)
- History of asthma
- Family history of serious illnesses
- Episodes of dizziness or collapse during activity
- Menstrual history
- Use of contact lenses or dental appliances
- History of past conditions such as fractures, concussions, and
heat illness
- Allergies
- Use of drugs, alcohol, dietary supplements, and/or performance
enhancing drugs, such as steroids