PRE-PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

You know, playing sports helps you stay in shape. You also know that sports are an entertaining way to socialize and meet people. But you may not know why it’s so important to get a physical when you start the sports season.

What is a predeportive physical exam?

In the field of sports medicine, a physical exam to practice sports is called a predeportive physical exam. This test helps determine if it is safe for you to participate in a particular sport. Most states require children and teens to have a physical exam to play sports before starting a new sport or starting the competitive season. But even if the predeportive physical exam is not mandatory, doctors recommend doing so

The two key parts of a pre-physical exam are a medical history and a physical exam.

Medical history

This part of the physical exam includes questions about:

• serious diseases among family members

• diseases you had when you were younger or have now, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy

• hospitalizations or surgeries

• allergies (for example, to insect bites)

• injuries you have suffered (including concussions, sprains, and fractures)

• if you have fainted, felt dizzy, if you have had chest pain or difficulty breathing while exercising

the medicines you are taking (including over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements, and prescription drugs)

Questions about medical history are usually on a form you can take home, so ask your parents to help you answer them. If possible, ask your parents questions about your family’s medical history.

Answer the questions as accurately as possible. Try not to invent the answers or give the answers you think the doctor wants to see.

Being aware of disease patterns in your family is a good way to detect conditions you might have. Most sports doctors consider a medical history to be the most important part of a pre-physical exam. Therefore, take your time to answer questions carefully. Your answers are unlikely to keep you from playing sports.

Physical exams

During the physical exam, the doctor will:

record your height and weight

measure blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm)

control your eyesight

examine the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat

assess your posture, joints, stamina and flexibility

While most of the test is the same for women and men, if a person is already in or through puberty, the doctor may ask different questions for men and women. For example, if a girl frequently plays active sports, the doctor will ask about her period and diet to make sure she is not suffering from the athlete’s triad (poor nutrition, irregular periods or absence of periods, and weakness in the bones).

The doctor will also ask questions about drug use, alcohol or dietary supplements, including steroids or other "performance enhancers" and weight loss supplements, because these products can affect your health.

If all is well, at the end of the exam, the doctor will complete and sign a form. In some cases, you may recommend a follow-up exam, more studies, or a specific treatment to treat medical problems.

Why is the Predeportive Physical Exam Important?

The pre-game physical exam can help you spot and address health problems that might interfere with your participation in a sport. For example, if you have frequent asthma attacks but are a striker on a football team, your doctor may prescribe another type of inhaler or adjust your dose so you can breathe more easily when you run.

Your doctor may give you some training tips and ideas for avoiding injury. For example, he or she may recommend certain stretching or strengthening activities to help prevent injuries. The doctor can also identify the risk factors associated with a specific sport. These tips can make you a better athlete and improve your stamina.

When and where should I go to have a pre-natal physical?

Some people go to their regular doctor for a pre-portional physical exam; others go to their school. During physical exams in schools, you may go to several armed "booths" in the gym. Each position will be staffed by medical professionals who will devote themselves to a specific part of the physical examination.

If your school offers physical exams, it’s a good idea to take them there. But even if you have a predeportive physical exam at school, it’s a good idea to also visit your doctor for a checkup. Your doctor knows you and your medical history better than anyone you talk to briefly in a gym.

If sports physical exams are mandatory in your home state, you should probably start doing them when you’re in seventh grade. Even if your school or the state you live in doesn’t ask for a pre-game physical, it’s a good idea to take a physical exam to play sports at school. And if you compete regularly in a sport before the ninth grade, you should start taking these exams even earlier.

In general, an annual predeportive physical examination is sufficient. However, if you’re recovering from a serious injury, such as a broken wrist or ankle, get an exam once you heal and before you start playing sports again.

You should complete the physical exam about 6 weeks before the sports season begins to have enough time to follow up, if necessary. Neither you nor your doctor will be satisfied if you have the pre-game physical one day before you start baseball training and they detect something that needs to be treated before you can start playing sports.

What if there’s a problem?

What if you don’t get your doctor’s approval and need to see a specialist? Does this mean you can never play softball or hockey again? Don’t worry if your doctor asks you to do other tests or go for a follow-up exam; it might be as simple as having your blood pressure measured again one or two weeks after the physical.

If your doctor sends you to a specialist, it could improve your athletic performance. For example, if you want to join the school athletics team but have mild knee pain every time you run, an orthopedist or sports medicine specialist can help you figure out what’s going on. Maybe the pain is due to an excess of training in the past or because you use an inadequate technique to run. Maybe you injured your knee a long time ago and it never healed properly. Or maybe the problem is as simple as sports shoes that don’t offer enough support. Most likely, a doctor can help you run without the risk of further knee injuries by offering suggestions or treatment before the sports season begins.

It is highly unlikely that you are not fit to play sports. The primary goal of pre-game physical exams is to make sure you are safe when playing sports, not to stop you from doing so. In most cases, specialists won’t find any reason to stop you from playing sports.

Should I get a regular physical anyway?

Yes. You may find it too much, but the pre-physical exam and the standard physical exam are different.

The pre-physical exam focuses on your well-being in relation to playing a sport. It is more limited than a regular physical exam, but it is much more specific in sports problems. On the contrary, during a regular physical exam, your doctor will focus on your overall well-being, which may include non-sporting aspects. You can ask your doctor to do both tests at the same visit, but keep in mind that you will need more time.

Even if the sports physical does not reveal any problems, it is always advisable to control yourself when playing sports. If you notice changes in your physical condition (even if they seem insignificant, such as muscle pain or shortness of breath), be sure to mention them to your parents or coach. You should also tell the physical education teacher or coach if your medical needs change in any way or if you are taking a new medication.

Like the most outstanding professional athletes, adolescent athletes need medical attention to continue to deliver their best performance. You can have the same competitive advantage as professionals if you make sure to take a pre-game physical.

Pitone, M. [2016] Predeportive physical exams. KidsHealth. Recovered from: https:///kidshealth.org/es/teens/sports-physicals-esp.html?WT.ac=p-ra#catsports-psychology