Clear Lake, TX Sports Physicals Near Me

Visit our urgent care for school & sports physicals in Clear Lake & the surrounding Houston areas. No appointment is required. Open 7 days a week.

Teamwork, friendship, communication and discipline, playing a sport has it all. Not only do sports help you maintain a healthy body and mind, but they also build important life skills. But before you get carried away in the excitement and maybe nervousness of tryouts and practice, you’ll have to get a sports physical. Below we outline the importance of getting a sports physical at the start of your sports season.

What is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical exam is also called a pre-participation physical examination (PPE). It assists in determining whether it is safe for you to participate in a certain sporting activity. 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.

Do I Need to Bring Anything?

While the check-up is simple, there are a few things you can prepare ahead of time.

• Bring any required forms including a completed health and immunization history.
• If the patient has any previous history for any type of heart problem or heart condition, AFC Clear Lake requires documentation from the patient’s primary care or treating physician stating the condition does not prevent participation in sports.
• Items to note:
  • This service is for patients 18 months and older.
  • We can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing vaccination history.

What Will Happen During a Sports Physical?

There are two main portions of a sports physical: medical history and a physical exam.

Medical History

Half of the exam will consist of answering questions about the patient’s medical history and their family’s health history. Common topics addressed:

• Family history of any serious illnesses
• Any current illness or previous illness when you were younger
• Earlier hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to medication, food or insect bites
• Previous injuries
• 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 heart beat)
• Liver or kidney problems
• Any medicines that you regularly take. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, natural or herbal supplements.
• Mental health

We recommend that a parent or guardian sit-in during these inquiries because children or teens may not remember their medical history or be aware of their family’s history. In fact, most healthcare providers consider the medical history portion to be the most valuable part of the exam.

Physical Exam

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

• Height and weight
• Blood pressure and pulse
• Vision and hearing
• Heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose and throat
• Possible hernias
• Muscle strength and flexibility, posture and joints
• Depending on the child’s age the provider may check cholesterol, hemoglobin count and perform a urinalysis.

Most of the physical exam is identical for both males and females; however the questions may vary depending on whether the patient has started or gone through puberty. It’s also common for providers to ask additional questions about the 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?

The primary purpose of a sports physical is safety. Providers look for conditions or injuries that could put an athlete at risk and make personalized recommendations when needed.

For example:

• An athlete with asthma may have their inhaler adjusted based on activity level or position
• A provider might suggest specific stretches or strengthening exercises to prevent injury
• Safety tips, like proper hydration and protective equipment, may be reviewed

The health of your child can change from year to year, which is why a sports physical is one helpful way to stay on top of your child’s overall well-being.

When Should I Get a Sports Physical?

An annual sports physical is enough to cover any sport your child may find themselves in. AFC Clear Lake recommends getting your sports physical done six to eight weeks before your season starts. That way, if the provider needs to treat a new condition, send a referral to a specialist or book a follow-up exam there will be plenty of time before the sports season begins.

What if There is a Problem After the Exam?

After a clean bill of health, the provider will complete the physical exam form. However, occasionally they will request additional testing, a follow-up exam or suggest a treatment for any new medical issues discovered during the exam.

Providers could recommend modifications such as using special protective equipment, carrying epinephrine shots when playing outdoor sports or using an inhaler

Many health concerns found during a sports physical does not usually prevent an athlete from participating in sports, they may just need a few extra measures in order to play.

Is your primary care doctor booked? Walk into AFC Clear Lake today for a fast and comprehensive sports physical.