Why every active kid needs a sports physical

Children develop sports skills in a sequence, and each stage builds on the last. A sports physical helps your active child reach their full capacity for participation — safely.

Every kid is an athlete

The high-school soccer player, the junior-high performer in the school musical, the skateboarding middle schooler down the block — you don't have to play an organised sport to be an athlete. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends asking for a sports physical when scheduling your child's next routine well-child visit, and booking at least 6 to 8 weeks before the season starts to leave time for any follow-up evaluation.

More than a check-the-box exam

The Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) form, developed by the AAP and other medical and sports-medicine groups, is designed to give athletes the best opportunity for full and safe participation. It includes an in-depth health history that you and your child fill out before the visit — answer honestly and thoroughly, especially the family-history and heart-related questions.

What the exam looks at

• Heart health. Sudden cardiac deaths in athletes are rare, but the exam asks about symptoms, past evaluations, high blood pressure and family history of heart disease. Most athletes are cleared without restriction.

• Mental health. Pressures in sports and performing arts can bring depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress and attention deficits. These questions are asked in a private, safe setting.

• Female athletes. Screening covers the female athlete triad — menstrual health, bone health, and nutrition — plus the higher risk of certain injuries such as ACL tears.

• Athletes with disabilities. A careful exam helps select the most appropriate activities and reduce risks — focusing on what a child can do, not what they can't.

• Concussions. Any athlete with a known or possible concussion should not return to sport without clearance. The exam helps determine treatment for lingering problems like headaches, trouble concentrating or sleeping.

Why your pediatrician, and not a gym line

The AAP recommends against mass physicals in a school gymnasium and against urgent-care settings for this exam — they often lack privacy, and a provider who knows your child and their records. Your pediatrician keeps the medical history complete, checks immunizations, and can discuss concerns confidentially.

Adapted from material by Chris Koutures, MD, FAAP, for the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. This article is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician.