Beaumont, TX Sports Physicals Near Me

Visit our urgent care for school & sports physicals in Beaumont. No appointment is required. Open 7 days a week with extended hours.

Joining a sport is a great way to stay active, boost your physical and mental health and build friendships. While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of competition, the thrill of winning a game or the comradery of your team, before the season even begins it’s important to schedule your sports physical.

What is a Sports Physical?

A pre-participation physical examination (PPE), more commonly known as a sports physical, is a quick exam that helps identify any hidden health concerns that could affect your health and safety while playing sports. Children and teens are required (in most states) to get a sports physical before they can start a new sport or prior to beginning a new season. However, even if a sports physical isn’t required, doctors still strongly advise obtaining one.

What to Know Before You Go

• Only provided to patients 18 months and older
• Bring required forms such as a completed health and immunization history.
• If the patient has a cardiac condition AFC Beaumont requires documentation from the patient’s treating physician stating that the heart condition does not prevent participation in sports.
• AFC can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing vaccination history.

What Can My Child Expect at a Sports Physical?

There are two main parts to a sports physical: medical history and physical examination.

Medical History

The medical history section of the examination involves responding to a wide range of inquiries. You can expect the following topics to be covered:

• Family history of any serious illnesses
• Any current illness or previous illness when you were younger (asthma, diabetic issues, epilepsy or seizures)
• Earlier hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to medication, food or insect bites
• Previous injuries (broken bones, sprains/strains, dislocations, concussions)
• Loss of consciousness, dizziness or fainting spells.
• Any chest pain or discomfort
• Difficulty breathing when working out or exercising
• Frequent headaches
• Heart problems (murmur or irregular heartbeat)
• Liver or kidney problems
• Any medicines that you regularly take. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, natural or herbal supplements.
• Mental health

It is highly recommended that a parent or guardian be available to help answer the medical history questions as many children may not know or remember their entire individual or family’s medical history. Many health care professionals agree that medical history is the most important aspect of the sports physical examination.

Physical Examination

After the medical history portion of the exam, the physician or health care provider will usually check, test and record the following:

• Your height and weight
• Your blood pressure and pulse
• Vision and hearing
• Examine your heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose and throat
• Test for hernia
• Your muscle strength and flexibility, posture, joints
• Depending on the child’s age the provider may check cholesterol, hemoglobin count and perform a urinalysis.

Typically, the physical exam is identical for males and females. However, be prepared for the provider to ask additional questions depending on whether the patient has started or gone through puberty.

The medical provider will also ask about any use of drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements. This may include questions regarding the use of weight-loss supplements, steroids and/or other performance enhancers since these can impact an individual’s health.

Why is a Sports Physical Important?

During a sports physical, the provider’s main goal is to make sure it’s safe for you to play. They’ll review your medical and family history, check for any conditions or past injuries, and order additional tests if needed. For example, if you have asthma, your provider may recommend adjusting your inhaler or treatment plan based on the demands of your sport or even your specific position on the team.

Sports physicals aren’t just about safety, they’re also about performance. Providers often share training tips to help reduce the risk of injury, such as targeted stretching or strengthening exercises designed to protect vulnerable muscles and joints.

When Should I Get a Sports Physical?

Getting a sports physical every year will help you maintain an overall healthy lifestyle without an overwhelming number of doctor’s visits. We recommend booking your sports physical six to eight weeks before the sports season starts. This time frame gives medical providers ample time to treat any new conditions, refer you to specialists or schedule a follow-up exam. We don’t want you to miss out on practice just because your sports physical isn’t completed.

What if There is a Problem After the Exam?

Once the exam is complete, the provider will typically sign off on the sports physical form. In some cases, they may recommend additional testing, a follow-up visit, or treatment if a health concern is identified. Depending on the results, your provider might also suggest certain modifications, such as:

• Wearing specialized protective gear
• Carrying epinephrine for severe insect allergies if playing outdoor sports
• Using an inhaler to manage asthma during activity

Most of the time, these recommendations don’t prevent kids from playing, they’re simply precautions to keep athletes safe and performing at their best. Occasionally, treatment or a follow-up exam may be needed before full participation is approved.

Visit AFC Beaumont for a comprehensive and affordable sports physical today!