Lakewood, CO Sports Physicals Near Me

No appointment needed! Visit our urgent care clinic nearby in Lakewood for your annual school & sports physical. We’re open daily with extended hours.

Is your sports season about to start? Before you get carried away with the excitement and maybe nervousness of tryouts and practices, first, you’re going to need a sports physical. At AFC Lakewood, we keep the process simple. Pre-register at our clinic for a fast, affordable and comprehensive sports physical.

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.

*Please note AFC can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing vaccination history.

• Bring any required forms including a completed health and immunization history.
• If the patient has any previous history of heart problems or a heart condition, we require documentation from the patient’s primary care or treating physician stating the condition does not prevent participation in sports.

What Happens During a Sports Physical?

There are two main sections in a sports physical: medical history and a physical exam.

Medical History

This portion of the exam involves verbally answering questions about the patient’s medical history and their family’s health history. Expect the following topics to be discussed:

• 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 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

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. A majority of health care providers cite medical history as the most valuable portion of the exam.

Physical Exam

This part of the exam usually follows the medical history portion. The physical exam is when the physician or health care provider will:

• Record height and weight
• Check blood pressure and pulse
• Test vision and hearing
• Check heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose and throat
• Test for possible hernias
• Test 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 males and females. However, the physician may ask different questions depending on whether the athlete has started or finished puberty. Additional questions about the use of drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements may also be covered. This includes inquiries about the use of weight-loss supplements, steroids and/or other performance enhancers.

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:

• Depending on an athlete’s activity level, their inhaler dosage may need to be adjusted.
• An athlete could be at-risk for an injury, so the provider might suggest certain stretches and strengthening exercises to prevent it.
• A provider might recommend more protective equipment be worn.

The health of a child or teen can change from year to year, which is why a sports physical is one helpful way to stay on top of their health.

When Should I Get a Sports Physical?

An annual sports physical is enough to cover any sport you may find yourself in. We recommend 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 the Exam Reveals a Problem?

After the sports physical is completed, the provider will fill out the proper physical exam form. However, sometimes they may need to request additional testing, a follow-up exam or suggest a treatment for any new medical issues found during the exam. Recommendations can range from using special protective equipment, carrying epinephrine shots for allergic reactions or using an inhaler.

Most health concerns identified during a sports physical will not prevent an athlete from participating in sports, they may just need a few extra measures to safely play.

AFC Lakewood offers sports physicals year-round. With affordable cash-pay rates and extended business hours, we can get your sports season off to a healthy start.