Help Your Athlete Start the Season Safely
Pediatric Sports Medicine | Sports Physicals
You’ve heard of annual physicals—but have you heard of sports physicals? Sports physicals help ensure your child is healthy enough to participate in their sport of choice. These specialized exams can uncover current health concerns that should be addressed before practices and games begin. They can also identify potential issues that may affect your child in the future, allowing your care team to recommend preventive strategies.
If your child plans to play a sport, contact your pediatrician. At Capital Area Pediatrics, we take sports physicals seriously and encourage families to schedule them prior to each season’s practices and games. To schedule an appointment with a CAP pediatrician and get your child cleared for participation, find your nearest location and contact us today.
Pre-Participation Physical Evaluations
What Is a Sports Physical?
A sports physical exam, also known as a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE), is performed to assess health factors specifically related to athletic participation. While a standard physical focuses on overall health and wellness, a PPE looks more closely at issues that could affect sports safety and performance. These exams help families and providers determine whether a student athlete is healthy enough to participate in a sport.
Why Does My Child Need a PPE?
In Virginia, sports physicals are required by many schools and by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) prior to participation in school athletics. VHSL requires an exam within 14 months of the start of a sport season to allow participation during the following school year. Even when a PPE is not required, it is still recommended to help protect your child’s health and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a PPE?
There are two key parts of a sports physical:
- Medical History: This includes questions about family history, past illnesses, injuries, allergies, and current medications. We recommend completing this exam with your child’s regular pediatrician because they have access to your child’s full medical record, vaccine history, and past care. Keeping records in one place also supports continuity of care.
- Physical Examination: The pediatrician will record height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure; examine the ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, and abdomen; and evaluate flexibility and strength.
Will my child still need an annual physical after a sports physical?
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children ages 5 to 18 have a physical exam once a year. A PPE does not replace an annual wellness exam. In many cases, CAP can clear your child for sports during their annual physical unless your league requires specific timing and form completion close to the start of a season.
Will my child need additional care after having a PPE?
A PPE helps assess readiness for participation, but it does not eliminate the risk of injury. Sports injuries are a common reason children and adolescents visit emergency rooms. Acute injuries may include fractures, sprains, shoulder dislocations, concussions, and meniscus tears. Overuse injuries can also occur, such as tennis elbow or little league shoulder—especially during growth spurts.
In many cases, a sports injury (such as a concussion, acute injury, or chronic sports pain) can be evaluated and managed by your pediatrician before a specialist referral is needed. Parents should seek emergency care if a child cannot use an injured arm or bear weight on an injured leg; if the area looks misshapen; if a child loses consciousness; if there are repeated episodes of vomiting; if a child experiences severe abdominal or neck pain; and/or if a child has sustained difficulty breathing.
How can Capital Area Pediatrics help?
Capital Area Pediatrics prioritizes sports physicals and takes sports injuries seriously. We understand the importance of primary care evaluation and follow-up when injuries occur. Families who come to us after an injury will leave with a detailed plan of care for both home and school environments.
We are happy to accommodate busy schedules for sports physicals, provide guidance for a safe season, and evaluate and manage both acute injuries and chronic sports-related pain. When needed, we can refer to trusted specialists for rehabilitation or additional care.