American Family Children's HospitalGet Ahead of the Game: Schedule Your Child's Sports Physical Early
Physicals and Immunizations
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Scheduling a child's school or sports physical can be a tricky task if put off until the last minute.What many parents don't know is that they can schedule these exams now and avoid the push for appointments that comes in August.
While local clinics make every attempt to accommodate the demand, each new school year they see a heavy volume of students needing physicals for sports, kindergarten registration and other periodic check-ups.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association requires physicals for students involved in interscholastic athletics. A physical card signed by a physician must be on file at your child's school before he or she is able to participate in sports practices or events. A physical must be completed no less than every other school year, with April 1 the earliest date of examination, so exams scheduled now are valid for the following two school years.
The physician's approval must be present on a physical card. Although a nurse or nurse practitioner may perform the exam, the signature on the card must be a physician's for the card to be valid.
Sports and other activity screening examinations include a pre-visit questionnaire to be completed by the athlete and parent. The "Preparticipation Physical Evaluation History Form" is mailed ahead of time with patient reminder letters. However, the form is also available via the link below.
Screening for a Number of Problems
Sara Kreckman, MD, a pediatrician at UW Health 20 S. Park says the sports physical is essential because it provides a complete pre-participation exam and screens for a number of problems.
"One of the purposes of the sports pre-participation physical is to identify and treat any medical problems that might limit safe sports participation, such as heart disease, severe asthma and previous head injuries," says Dr. Kreckman.
"We also check for musculoskeletal problems to make sure they aren't at risk for injury, and can recommend appropriate strengthening exercises. It is also a great opportunity to talk with adolescents and screen for substance abuse problems, mental health issues, and school difficulties."
Regardless of participation in sports, however, Dr. Kreckman says that all adolescents should be checked every two years.
"The unfortunate thing is that many teens don't see their physicians for a regular physical," Dr. Kreckman says. "These are the very children that might benefit the most from a comprehensive evaluation."
Check-Up Every Two Years
A healthy child with no chronic medical problems should have a physical at least every two years after the age of five, according to Dr. Kreckman. But children who have chronic underlying medical conditions like asthma, recurring infections, severe allergies, or use medications on a regular basis need to come in at least once a year.
"These physicals are also a good time for us to check your child's immunization records," Dr. Kreckman says. "Several changes have been made to immunization schedules in recent years, and we can use this opportunity to make sure your child is up-to-date."
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, public school physicals are recommended but not required upon entry into kindergarten and at either third and fifth grade, or fourth and seventh grade intervals.
