How a sports physical from your pediatricians in Alexandria, VA, can protect your child’s health
If your child wants to play a sport, that’s great! Sports are an excellent idea to keep your child fit, and help your child build social bonds and a sense of belonging to a team. It's only natural for you to wonder about whether your child will be injured while playing a sport.
That’s where sports physicals come in. The pediatricians at The Kidz Docs in Alexandria, VA, provide a wide range of children’s medical services, including sports physicals to protect your child’s health.
Sports physicals are easy, and they are also thorough. There are several steps you can expect. During a sports physical your pediatrician will:
- Record your child’s medical history, including recent illnesses, injuries, and hospitalizations
- Record your family’s medical history including serious diseases and conditions like heart problems, asthma, and others
- Measure and record your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
- Listen to your child’s heartbeat and breathing
- Check your child’s balance, muscular strength, and flexibility
- Check your child’s ears, eyes, nose, and throat for evidence of illness or infection
- Perform vision and hearing screenings
- Order lab tests or imaging studies which may be needed to perform a complete physical examination
Your pediatrician will use the results of the sports physical to determine:
- If your child is healthy enough to play a sport
- If your child might experience chest pain or breathing difficulties while active
- If your child needs any physical preparation before playing a sport
While your child is having a sports physical, your pediatrician may recommend vaccinations to keep your child current on required immunizations. According to the CDC, required immunizations from birth to 18 years include:
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Polio
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Rotavirus
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis A
- Human papillomavirus
- Meningococcal conjugate
- Flu
- Covid
A sports physical can help your child stay protected against injuries. To find out more about the importance of sports physicals and what to expect, call the pediatricians at The Kidz Docs in Alexandria, VA. You can reach them in the office by calling (703) 765-6093, so call today.