Sports Physicals Exams Questions and Answers

Yes! Many urgent care clinics provide excellent sports physical services. At Urgent Care & Wellness Center in Lutz, FL, our board-certified physicians have an abundance of experience and expertise in providing thorough and high-quality sports physicals to patients of varying ages. A sports physical, also known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE), is an excellent way to ensure that you or your child is physically fit to participate in an athletic activity safely.

In general, there are two primary parts to a sports physical exam. The first part consists of a medical history review, followed by a physical examination.

During the medical history review, various questions will be asked either by the doctor conducting the physical during a consultation or on a questionnaire form that you can take home and fill out. The questions in the medical history will likely be about the following topics:

– Serious illnesses, diseases, or conditions among family members
– Medical conditions you currently have or have had in the past, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
– Previous hospitalizations or surgeries
– Allergies, such as pollen or insect bites
– Previous injuries, such as concussions, fractures, or sprains
– If you have ever experienced chest pain, felt dizzy, fainted, or experienced difficulty breathing while exercising or participating in an athletic activity
– List of medications you regularly take, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medications, and herbal or nutritional supplements

The medical history portion of the sports physical exam is conducted to look for any illnesses or conditions that could complicate participation in a particular athletic activity and recommended modifications or adjustments to make if any are found.

During the physical examination portion of the sports physical exam, the doctor will likely check your vitals, including your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and weight. They may also conduct a vision screening, listen to your heart and lungs, palpate your abdomen, and examine your ears, nose, and throat for any signs of illness or irregularities. Additionally, the doctor will most likely evaluate your flexibility and strength, the health of your joints and bones, as well as your posture.

Your doctor may also ask some lifestyle questions about your diet and exercise routines, alcohol or drug use, sleeping habits, and other information that could compromise your ability to participate in a particular athletic activity.

The main difference between a physical and a sports physical is that a regular physical examination is much broader and more comprehensive, while sports physicals concentrate on health issues pertaining to the individual’s participation in an athletic activity. As such, a regular physical will likely consist of the same medical history review and physical examinations as a sports physical, in addition to such things as the following:

– Adolescent issues
– Behavioral and developmental screening, if necessary
– Immunizations
– Laboratory tests, if necessary
– Preventive health
– Sexual health

With that being said, a regular physical does not focus on whether a person can safely participate in a particular athletic activity but is instead focused on any health concerns affecting the individual presently or potentially in the future.

On average, most sports physicals take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. As such, they are relatively quick and could prevent you or your child from experiencing an injury during an athletic activity!

If you have more questions about sports physicals or would like to schedule one with us at Urgent Care & Wellness Center, we welcome you to contact us or schedule an appointment through our website! We serve patients from Lutz FL, New Port Richey FL, Land O’ Lakes FL, Cheval FL, Greater Northdale FL, Greater Carrollwood FL, River Ridge FL, Seven Springs FL, Port Richey FL, Bayonet Point FL, Hudson FL, and Elfers FL.