What Do They Do In A Sports Physical? Find Out The Essential Elements

Sports physicals are a crucial part of an athlete’s life, whether you’re a high school student-athlete or a seasoned professional. These medical evaluations aim to ensure that your body is in its best shape and ready for the demands of sports activities.

During a sports physical examination, doctors or medical professionals will evaluate various aspects of your overall health, including your general medical history, heart function, strength, flexibility, and other vital areas. These assessments can help identify any underlying conditions or injuries that may need treatment before participating in sports activities.

“A sports physical is not just a routine check-up; it’s an essential tool for reducing injury risks and protecting athletes’ bodies,” says Dr. James Jones, a leading sports medicine expert.”

The objective of this blog post is to provide you with some insight into what happens during a sports physical exam so that you know what to expect when you go in for one. Knowing what to expect can help reduce anxiety and make the process smoother for everyone involved.

We’ll be detailing some of the critical elements of a sports physical exam, including questions about your medical history, a thorough physical examination, and several tests tailored to measure your fitness level and ability to engage in sports activities safely. So grab a chair, relax and read on – you just might learn something new today!

Medical History

Previous Illnesses and Surgeries

A sports physical examination involves a review of your medical history, particularly if you have had any previous illnesses or surgeries. Your doctor will ask you questions about these occurrences, their treatments, and your current health status to ensure that there are no lingering issues that could impact your ability to play sports safely.

If you have had any significant illnesses or injuries, be sure to provide your physician with as much information as possible, including dates, symptoms, and treatment plans. This information helps the doctor determine if any further examinations or testing is necessary before clearing you for participation in organized sports activities.

Current Medications

In addition to discussing past illnesses and surgeries, your doctor will likely inquire about any medication you are currently taking. Medical care providers must be aware of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies you may be using when diagnosing and treating you.

Some drugs can result in side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, fatigue, confusion, or other cognitive impairments that affect athletic performance. Others might interact negatively with certain treatments or increase the risk of injury during exercise or competition.

To avoid these potential complications, your doctor needs full disclosure about all the substances that you ingest regularly.

Allergies

Allergic reactions to food or medicine can cause discomfort, swelling, rashes, breathing difficulties, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. During a sports physical, it’s essential to tell your provider about any known allergies, even if they are believed to be mild or non-life threatening – for example, allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

While most sports teams or schools require parents and children to complete comprehensive medical forms that include any allergies, it’s still important to mention them during the examination in case you or your child is starting medication for the first time or has been mistakenly listed as allergy-free.

In rare situations, some children may experience anaphylactic reactions because of exercise-induced food allergies. In such cases, medical providers should discuss preventive measures and treatment plans with parents, caregivers, and school or sports personnel prior to participation.

Physical Examination

General Appearance

A physical examination is an important evaluation that helps to determine the overall health status of an individual. During a sports physical, one of the things doctors will be assessing is your general appearance. They are looking for any physical signs or symptoms that may indicate potential problems.

The doctor will evaluate how you present yourself physically and if there’s anything unusual about your posture, facial expressions or other observable elements. Additionally, they will also ask questions on whether you have been experiencing fatigue, dizziness, loss of energy, among others.

“It is during the medical check-up, the healthcare provider makes sure that you are healthy enough to participate in workouts and athletic activities” – Dr. Ben Carson

Skin Examination

During a sports physical, a skin examination is typically done as part of general assessment where the examiner checks your skin for rashes, acne, bruises, birthmarks, moles or any form of deformity that might require further evaluation. This is particularly important because it enables the health professional to detect skin cancer or abnormalities that may affect your ability to engage in high-intensity games or contact sports.

The examiner will need to know more information like itching, burning sensation, blisters, crusting, after-sun precautionary measures taken etc., Generally being evaluated under this category can take up several minutes providing essential diagnostic decisions concerning some dermatology-related issues that would arise from future sport engagements.

“Each year in the United States, over 5 million people will develop some sort of non-melanoma skin cancer – Skin Cancer Foundation”

Getting regular physical evaluations before participating in any competitive sporting activity thwarts pre-existing injuries, malignancies, or underlying chronic illnesses which would worsen over time from rigorous activities.

Vital Signs Check

A sports physical is a type of medical examination that evaluates an athlete’s overall health and fitness. One important aspect of this evaluation is the check-up of vital signs, which are key indicators of how well the body is functioning.

Blood Pressure

The first vital sign checked in a sports physical is usually blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it through the body. A normal blood pressure reading for adults is typically around 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure can indicate underlying health issues such as heart disease, kidney problems, or hyperthyroidism, while low blood pressure could signify dehydration, shock, or other conditions.

During the sports physical, healthcare professionals will use a sphygmomanometer to measure your blood pressure. They will wrap a cuff around your arm and listen to the sound of blood flowing through the artery in your elbow with a stethoscope. If your blood pressure appears high during the initial reading, you may need follow-up tests or treatment before being cleared to participate in activities that raise blood pressure, such as intense exercise.

Heart Rate

Another vital sign evaluated is heart rate, which measures the number of times your heart beats per minute (BPM). Resting heart rates vary depending on factors like age, activity level, and overall health, but generally fall between 60-100 BPM. Athletes who engage in regular cardiovascular exercise often have lower resting heart rates than non-athletes because their hearts are stronger and more efficient at pumping blood.

To evaluate your heart rate, medical professionals may take your pulse either manually by feeling the radial artery in your wrist, or using a machine called a pulse oximeter that clips onto your finger. During a sports physical, healthcare providers may ask you to perform some light exercise like jogging in place to assess your heart’s response to physical activity. Abnormalities in heart rate, such as bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) or tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate), require further medical evaluation before an athlete can participate in physical activities.

Respiratory Rate

The third vital sign checked during a sports physical is respiratory rate, which refers to the number of breaths taken per minute. A normal respiratory rate for adults ranges from 12-20 breaths per minute while at rest. During exercise, this rate will naturally increase when more oxygen is needed by muscles working harder than usual.

To measure respiratory rate, healthcare professionals may visually observe the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen or use a device called a spirometer that measures the volume of air breathed in and out over time. If a person seems to have difficulty breathing outside of exercise or shows signs of abnormality during exercise, it could be indicative of underlying lung problems like asthma or bronchitis.

“Vital signs are measurements of essential body functions used to assess the general physical health of a patient.”

A sports physical involves much more than just measuring vital signs, but these measurements give doctors and other healthcare professionals important initial information about how well your body is functioning. It’s crucial to be honest with your healthcare provider when answering questions about your medical history, any previous injuries, or current symptoms so they can provide the best care possible and help prevent potential harm or injury during physical activity. Remember, participating in sports and other athletic activities can offer numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, but always prioritize safety first!

Cardiovascular System Assessment

A sports physical examination is a medical evaluation that assesses an athlete’s overall health and fitness. The heart and cardiovascular system are assessed to ensure their ability to safely participate in sports activities.

Heart Sounds

A physician or healthcare provider will use a stethoscope to listen to the heart sounds to evaluate its rhythm, rate and detect any abnormalities, such as murmurs or skipped beats which may indicate underlying conditions like cardiac arrhythmias or valve disorders.

“A thorough cardiovascular examination should include palpation of peripheral pulses and auscultation of heart sounds.” -StatPearls Publishing

Pulse Examination

The pulse is evaluated to determine if the heartbeat is regular and strong enough for exercise. There are various locations on the body where pulse can be checked; commonly used ones include the wrist and neck. A standard pulse rate ranges from 60-100 bpm, but this can vary according to age, gender, conditioning level, and medication usage. Higher and lower pulse rates could signal underlying concerns like poor athletic conditioning, dehydration, illness, or hormonal imbalances.

“Assessing the pulse is fundamental in evaluating the heart function” – StatPearls Publishing

Capillary Refill Test

In this test, the doctor presses down on the patient’s fingertip until it turns white or pale, then releases pressure. Normal circulation returns within two seconds, indicated by the finger’s color returning to normal pink. Delayed refill time could signify circulatory problems or blood vessel obstruction like Raynaud’s disease or atherosclerosis.

“The capillary refill test provides information about the blood vessels’ state and their capacity for delivering oxygenated blood to tissues.” -Verywell Fit

Peripheral Edema Check

The medical professional may also check for edema, or abnormal swelling, in the lower extremities, which could be a marker of cardiovascular disease or an injury like sprain.

“Swelling of the legs and/or ankles can indicate heart failure” -Cleveland Clinic.

In conclusion, the sports physical examination assesses various aspects to ensure athletes are safe to participate in sports activities. The cardiovascular system is one of the areas examined and its assessment includes evaluating heart sounds, pulse, capillary refill time, and peripheral edema. Knowing what to expect during a sports physical can help reduce anxiety and provide insight into overall health risks before participating in physical activity.

Respiratory System Assessment

A sports physical is a medical examination that athletes must go through to ensure they are healthy enough to participate in competitive sports. Part of the physical exam involves assessing the respiratory system.

Lung Sounds

The healthcare professional conducting the physical will use a stethoscope to listen to your chest. This allows them to assess the sounds produced by air moving through your lungs. Wheezing, crackling or other abnormal sounds could indicate an underlying condition like asthma or bronchitis.

In some cases, you may be asked to take deep breaths while the healthcare provider listens to your breathing patterns. This helps to check for any abnormalities in your lung function and aids in diagnosing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema.

“Auscultation is one of the oldest diagnostic methods still in use today, it is performed to aid in the diagnosis of several conditions,” said Dr. Carole Myers, MD, FACP, FCCP, Chief Medical Officer of Semler Scientific Inc.

Oxygen Saturation Level

Another aspect of the respiratory system assessment is measuring the oxygen saturation level using a device called a pulse oximeter. The probe is placed on your finger, toe or ear lobe, and uses infrared light to determine how much oxygen is present in your blood.

This test is essential since low oxygen levels can cause fatigue, dizziness and even loss of consciousness – all of which can be detrimental to your ability to perform well in sports. If the results show low oxygen saturation levels, further testing may be necessary to diagnose underlying health conditions contributing to this issue.

“The normal range for oxygen saturation is between 95% and 100%. Any readings below 90% are considered low and warrant immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Richard E. Besser, MD, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A respiratory system assessment during a sports physical is crucial in ensuring athletes have healthy lungs and proper oxygen levels to allow them to perform their best.

Musculoskeletal System Examination

Range of Motion Check

A range of motion check is commonly performed in a sports physical to assess a patient’s flexibility and mobility. During this exam, the doctor or healthcare provider will ask you to move your joints in different directions, such as bending your knees or lifting your arms. This allows them to see if there are any limitations or restrictions in your body’s movement.

The goal of this test is to determine if your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are functioning properly. If they find any areas of concern, the physician may recommend specific exercises or stretches to help improve your muscle performance.

“The range of motion test is used during physical exams for athletes because it can identify weaknesses or imbalances that may otherwise go unnoticed,” says Dr. Douglas Hutchinson, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic Health System.

Joint Examination

A joint examination is another common part of a sports physical, which focuses on assessing the health and function of your joints. The doctor or healthcare provider will evaluate your joints by measuring their size, strength, and range of motion. They will also look for any signs of swelling, redness, or instability around each joint.

If your physician finds any abnormalities, they may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans to further investigate the issue. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause, but may include rest, specialized exercises, medications, or even surgery in more severe cases.

“A comprehensive joint exam helps doctors diagnose conditions early before they progress and become unmanageable,” explains Dr. Jonathan Deland, surgeon-in-chief emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery.

A sports physical is an important step in ensuring that athletes are healthy, injury-free, and able to perform at their best. By assessing your musculoskeletal system through a range of motion check and joint examination, doctors can better understand your body’s strengths and weaknesses, and help you take the necessary steps to achieve optimal physical performance.

Frequently Asked Questions