Sports Physicals

Athletes playing at all levels can benefit from thorough sports physicals before participating in sports like soccer, football, and basketball. Whether you have a child enrolled in school or club sports, or you play for a college or club team, Taiwo Adebayo, NP, and the expert health care providers at On Time Urgent Care, LLC, in Columbus, Ohio, conduct comprehensive sports physicals. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to book an exam.

What are sports physicals?

A sports physical, or preparticipation physical examination (PPE), is a complete health screening that assesses an athlete’s fitness to participate in physical activities. While most children must undergo sports and school physicals in Ohio, anybody involved in physically demanding activities will benefit from regular exams.

At On Time Urgent Care, LLC, the team performs head-to-toe sports physicals for adults and children. Your provider can also complete a school physical if your child is due for an updated exam or enrolling in a new school.

How do sports physicals differ from annual physicals?

While annual exams and sports physicals share many qualities, the latter focuses exclusively on your fitness to participate in physical activities. Sports physicals aim to identify risk factors that threaten your ability to play sports safely. An annual physical is a routine screening that can help identify health problems before you show symptoms.

Since sports physicals primarily support your ability to play, you should still schedule an annual physical when you’re due one.

Who do sports physicals involve?

Sports physicals are complete exams that begin with recording your height and weight. The team at On Time Urgent Care, LLC, also checks your vitals (blood pressure, pulse, respiration [breathing] rate, temperature).

Before the exam begins, the team reviews your medical history and makes necessary updates. They ask about your diet, lifestyle, medications, and if you’ve recently experienced new or worsening symptoms.

The team looks inside your eyes, ears, nose, and throat during the exam. They listen to your lungs and heart before palpating (touching) your abdomen. Next, the team evaluates your strength, reflexes, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Once the exam is complete, the team will discuss your potential risk factors and provide personalized recommendations to keep you safe and healthy while participating in sports.

The team also administers necessary vaccinations if your child visits for a sports or school physical.

How do I prepare for sports physicals?

Every school district and most competitive sports teams require you to complete paperwork related to your physical. To prepare for these exams, make sure to bring the following to your visit:

• Complete medical history
• Vaccination record
• Parental consent forms (for children under 18)
• Insurance information
• Results from previous physicals
• List of medications

Preparing a list of questions and concerns before your visit can maximize your time with your provider.

Call On Time Urgent Care, LLC, or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about sports physicals.