Sports Physicals in West University, TX

Visit our urgent care for school & sports physicals in West University & the surrounding Houston area. Open 7 days a week with extended hours.

Back-to-school season means your life is about to be non-stop sports and extracurricular activities. But before your child joins the practice squad, they will need to undergo a sports physical. This exam will help determine whether your child can handle the physical demands of the sport and help identify any potential health concerns. AFC Urgent Care of West University makes the process smooth for you and your child. We understand that sports play a huge role in their life, which is why we prioritize safe participation by offering affordable sports physicals.

What is a Sports Physical?

A pre-participation physical exam (PPE), or more commonly referred to as a sports physical is an evaluation conducted by a medical provider to determine whether your child can participate in a specific sport. In most states, including Texas, children and teens are required to get a physical before they begin a new sport or a new season.

Before You Check-in

Remember to bring along any required paperwork, including a completed health and immunization history. If your child has a known heart condition or a history of heart problems, please also provide written documentation from their primary care provider or specialist confirming that it is safe for them to participate in sports.

*Please note that AFC Urgent Care can only verify immunization administered at our clinics or with proper documentation demonstrating your vaccination history.

What Can My Child Expect?

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

Medical History

This part is discussion based and involves answering a series of questions.

Topics covered in this section include:

• Any serious illnesses that run in the family (Cancer, heart disease, respiratory issues, etc.)
• Any current illness or previous illness when they were younger (asthma, diabetic issues, epilepsy or seizures)
• Past hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to medication, food or insect bites
• Past 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 issues
• Any medicines that they regularly take (both prescription and non-prescription medications, natural or herbal supplements)
• Mental health (depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress and attention deficits)

A parent or guardian should be present to help answer the medical history questions because children might not recall their individual or family’s medical records. Medical history is cited as the most important aspect of a sports physical by many health care professionals.

Physical Examination

After the medical history inquiry, the physician or health care provider will then perform the following:

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

The physical exam is almost identical for male and female patients. However, the provider holds the right to ask additional questions depending on whether or not the child has started or gone through puberty.

Also be prepared to answer questions concerning the use of drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements. This could include anything from weight-loss supplements to steroids or performance enhancers. It’s important to be honest with our AFC providers as these can impact your child’s health.

Why is a Sports Physical Necessary?

As children and teens grow, their health can change in just one year. Like, if they struggle with asthma, our healthcare professionals may recommend a different inhaler or dosage based on the sport they’re playing. Even changing positions on the team can impact a health condition like asthma. A provider could also suggest specific stretches and strengthening exercises to help with any new injuries that occurred over the course of a year or to help prevent future injuries.

When Should I Schedule a Physical?

It’s recommended that children and teens get their annual sports physical done six to eight weeks before the sports season starts. This will give our AFC providers ample time to conduct a comprehensive exam, address any existing medical concerns and schedule any necessary referrals to specialists. Planning ahead will give you peace of mind and ensure that your child doesn’t have to miss the beginning of their season.

What Happens if the Physical Reveals a Problem?

Once both parts of the exam are complete, your provider will fill out and sign the sports physical form. In some cases, they may recommend additional testing, such as lab work, follow-up visits, or treatment, if any health concerns are identified.

Your provider might also suggest certain precautions, like wearing protective gear, carrying an epinephrine injector for severe allergies, or using an inhaler to manage asthma.

The good news is that most health conditions don’t prevent kids from playing sports. With the right plan in place and by following any instructions from your AFC care team, your child can enjoy a safe, healthy and successful season.