Many schools require athletes to get a sports physical.
Sports physicals are required for many athletes, including high school cheerleaders, grade school basketball, and football players and professional athletes. These medical exams are vital, as they help determine whether someone is healthy enough to participate in a sport. While some are apprehensive about getting a sports physical, understanding the process can help ease anxiety and fears.
Location
Some schools offer physicals, especially before the start of the fall school semester. There is usually a sign-up deadline, and the physicals are conducted in the school's athletic training room or gymnasium.
More commonly, people visit their primary physician to obtain a sports physical--this is especially true in the case of grade school and high school students. Getting a physical from your regular doctor can make you feel more comfortable, and the process may go faster since they will already be familiar with your medical history.
Medical History
An important part of a sports physical is the evaluation of medical history. This includes letting the examining physician know about any preexisting illnesses, whether you have asthma, have recently had an injury that required hospitalization, are currently on any medications and whether your family has a history of chronic illness. Physicians also typically inquire as to whether the patient has a history of dizzy spells, chest pain or blackouts during physical activity--if so, they will need to discover the cause of these occurrences before suggesting that you participate in sports.
Clothing
During a sports physical, you will need to remove your clothing and dress in a medical robe or wrap. This is necessary because clothing gets in the way of examining the lungs, back, abdomen and heart, which are usually looked at during the physical.
You can remain draped for modesty during the physical, and it is highly unusual for a patient to be asked to sit in the nude during their sports examination.
Physical Exam
Many things that are examined during a sports physical, including checking of blood pressure; weight check; height measurement; listening to the heart and lungs; feeling the abdomen; examining the ears, nose and throat; examining eyesight; testing strength, reflexes and flexibility.
If you have any concerns or questions, you should ask before the physical examination. For example, if your family has a history of enlarged hearts, and you want to know whether this is the case for you, you should talk about this with your physician.
Genital Exams
One of the more anxiety-inducing parts of a sports physical is the genital exam. Females typically do not have their genitals or breasts examined during a sports physical, unless they request a yearly exam or pap smear from their physician.
However, males need to have their genitals examined during a sports physical, due to the fact that their testicles are at risk for injury since they are on the outside of the body.
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