A SPORTS PHYSICAL CAN HELP PARENTS SPOT HEALTH ISSUES

It’s also a good time to check mental well-being in light of pandemic

ost young people require a sports physical before they can take part in school athletics or activities – at least when the season is predictable. Before school starts again, it’s a good idea to schedule a physical for fall sports and activities, says Dr. Jason Sharp, a physician with Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Fargo. “We conduct the regular physical exam, and we also ask speci cally about any history of cardiac conditions or heart tests,” he says. “A er this past year, we ask more questions focusing on the cardiac and pulmonary perspective. Such as, were you ever diagnosed with COVID and have you experienced any issues when you returned to the sport?”

Autumn Nelson, a family nurse practitioner with Sanford Health in Fargo, offers the following helpful tips for parents.

When a sports or activities physical is needed

The requirement for when and how o en a physical is needed is mandated by each state. It is recommended that these checkups be completed six weeks prior to the start of either the school or activity season that your child is participating in.

This six-week period allows time for any additional check-ins needed that may stem from this physical appointment. That may include therapy to an injury that is yet to be fully healed and could possibly limit the child from performing at full health and put them at a greater risk to re-injure themselves.

What a sports and activity physical will check for

During the check-in, a nurse or provider will check for several items with an overall goal of understanding the well-being of the child to perform any physical activity. Past medical history is assessed rst to be aware of any past illness or surgeries, along with any past injuries or concussions. This check-in will also go through basic height, weight and arm circumference to check for any concerns or abnormalities. Additionally, the appointment includes a mental health check.

“Particularly this year, athletes were isolated, they get depressed and sometimes they don’t realize what they are experiencing,” Dr. Sharp says. “I have a conversation with them and talk whether they would like more counseling or to discuss it more with their primary care provider.”

Sharp adds that now is a good time to check if your child has the appropriate athletic equipment, such as shoes that they walk and train in every single day. It can make a world of di erence so they don’t get an injury in the rst place.

Differences in physicals based on age

Everything that is covered at a young age remains important as a child grows. As the child ages, more in-depth questions about social history such as drug use are addressed. This is a good age to start this discussion and allow parents to be aware and children to understand the risks of their choices. At every sports and activity physical, preventive steps of a healthy lifestyle, such as eating habits and remaining active, are addressed.

What parents can take away from these appointments

If a child or parent has any question about how to stretch a certain muscle or do a stretching routine daily at home, primary care providers are qualied to recommend this type of basic therapy.

This is also a time to check if a past injury has been fully healed. If the child is still feeling a substantial amount of pain, that is when providers refer them to a physical therapist who can go in depth into rehabbing this injury. These young athletes are also told several times that if they take any sort of strong hit to the head they should tell their parents and coaches right away so they can be evaluated for a concussion. Providers and nurses also can recommend sports gear that they think is safer than other products. They also recommend that students take advantage of athletic trainers who are on site at their school. These athletic trainers can go further into preventive gear and care, and things such as taping ankles or wrists. This is also a great time to ask any question that a parent or child may have, even if it is not related to their sport or activity.