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Now's the Time to Schedule Your Young Athlete's Sports Physical for the Fall Season
Though it’s still feeling very much like summer here in Little River, South Carolina, it isn’t too early to start thinking about fall sports. Every young athlete — whether they’re gearing up for soccer, football, cross country, dance, or any other sport — benefits from a physical.
Read on as Dr. Rogers Walker and the Walker Family Care team explain why scheduling your child’s sports physical now can set them up for success and keep them safe throughout their season.
Why sports physicals are important
A sports physical, or pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is designed to assess your child's overall health and fitness level. During their appointment, Dr. Walker makes sure that they're physically ready to participate in sports.
Sports physicals:
Help identify potentially dangerous conditions
A thorough physical can uncover any underlying health issues that might put your young athlete at risk. This includes heart conditions, asthma, and other chronic illnesses that might not be evident during everyday activities but can pose serious risks during intense physical exertion.
Conditions like these won’t necessarily preclude your child from participating, but a good sports physical means that your child can get the treatment they need — such as an asthma action plan — so that they can participate safely.
Help prevent injuries
The physical examination can help identify any areas of weakness or imbalance that could lead to injuries.
Give you a chance to get caught up with vaccines
Sports physicals are also an excellent opportunity to ensure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. This is particularly important for preventing illnesses that can spread easily in close-contact sports settings.
The 2024-2025 flu season officially kicks off in the fall, so this is a perfect time to schedule your sports physical and protect your child against communicable diseases like the flu.
Establish a baseline
Having a record of your child's baseline health metrics, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and weight, can be incredibly useful. This information helps track their development and quickly identify any significant changes or health concerns that may arise throughout the school year.
What to expect during your child’s physical
During the sports physical, Dr. Walker conducts a thorough sports physical which typically includes:
- A family medical history review
- Personal health history
- Physical examination
- Vitals, including weight, height, and blood pressure
Dr. Roger may evaluate your child’s fitness levels, ask questions about the sports or activities in which your child will participate, and answer any other questions you have. Depending on your child’s exam, Dr. Walker confirms medical eligibility for sports.
This is typically written as “medically eligible for sports without restrictions.” However, in the case that your child does have restrictions, Dr. Walker explains what the restrictions are, what sports are approved, and what/if any follow-up care is needed.
Tips for a smooth appointment
To help your child’s sports physical run smoothly, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Schedule the appointment now
Don't wait until the last minute to book the appointment. Schedules can fill up quickly, especially as the school year approaches.
Plus, your child can’t practice or play until their physical is complete — per Horry County guidelines — so avoid any delays by planning ahead.
Bring the necessary paperwork
Bring any required forms provided by your child’s school or sports league. Also, have a copy of your child's vaccination records and a list of any medications they are currently taking.
Prepare your child
If your child feels jittery about their physical health, talk to your child about the importance of the physical and what to expect during the examination. This can help ease any anxiety they might have about the process.
Schedule any follow-ups
If Dr. Walker identifies any issues or makes specific recommendations, be sure to follow up on them. This might include scheduling additional appointments, starting a new exercise routine, filling a prescription (such as asthma medication), or making dietary adjustments.
Start the school year off on the right foot
Give us a call at 843-280-8333 to book their sports physical. You can also click here to schedule an appointment here in Little River, South Carolina.
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