Sports Physical Exams are Important

Don't Short Change Your Young Athlete

By Douglas Cobble, MD and Kelly Thomason, PNP

Sports exams are an integral part of good health maintenance and safety for all athletes of all ages. These exams are often taken too casually, and can place an athlete at risk. Below are some points to consider.

1. The athlete's pediatrician is more familiar with the child's medical history and knows him or her the best. This is the person who can advise and safely make recommendations as to the safety of athletic participation. Medical issues are better evaluated and managed. The personal physician can better manage referrals and secondary opinions if needed to clear an athlete for participation.
2. Group physicals do not replace the yearly exams with your primary physician that is often recommended by insurance carriers. DO IT RIGHT and get your yearly physical and sports clearance all in one visit.
3. Group physicals often lack quality and safety. Important issues like immunizations, underlying medical conditions (often not disclosed to those doing group physicals) and medication risk potentials are not fully addressed.
4. Group exams and urgent care exams are often conducted by providers with minimal training in pediatric and adolescent medicine.
5. Counseling regarding conditioning, nutrition, and safety is an important part of the exam that is often ignored in group physicals. Counseling given should be based on sound medical standards so as to protect the athlete from potential injuries or death.

Call our office at 423-787-6050 to get your child/children scheduled today. We have availability to accommodate appointments quickly.