A sports physical, also known as a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is designed to assess a child's health and fitness for sports participation. Here's what you can expect:

1. Medical History Review: We'll discuss your child's medical history, including past injuries, illnesses, and family health background.

2. Physical Examination: This includes:

   • Measuring height and weight
   • Checking blood pressure and pulse
   • Testing vision
   • Examining the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat
   • Evaluating posture, joints, strength, and flexibility
3. Assessment of Sport-Specific Concerns: Based on the sport your child plays, we may focus on certain areas more closely.
4. Discussion and Recommendations: We'll discuss any findings, answer questions, and provide advice on injury prevention and safe athletic participation.

Most schools and sports leagues require a sports physical annually. However, if your child has a chronic medical condition or has recently had a significant injury or illness, more frequent exams may be recommended. Always check with your child's school or sports organization for their specific requirements.

While there is some overlap, a sports physical is more focused on health issues related to athletic participation. An annual check-up is more comprehensive and includes developmental screenings, vaccinations, and discussions about general health and wellness. It's best to have both, but a sports physical can be a good supplement between annual check-ups.

At ContinuEM, most sports physicals take about 20-30 minutes. However, the exact time can vary depending on your child's medical history and any concerns that may arise during the exam. We strive to be thorough while also respecting your time.

Please bring:

• Any forms required by your child's school or sports league
• Your child's medical history, including information about past injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions
• A list of any medications your child is currently taking
• Your child's immunization records
• Your insurance card, if applicable
• Any glasses or contact lenses your child uses

Yes, there's no need for your child to fast before a sports physical. It's actually better if they eat normally to avoid low blood sugar, which could affect some of the exam results.

If we identify any issues that might affect your child's ability to participate safely in sports, we'll discuss these with you and your child. In some cases, we might recommend further testing or a follow-up with a specialist. Our goal is to ensure your child's safety while helping them participate in the activities they love.

Yes! At ContinuEM, we understand that families are busy, so we accept walk-ins for sports physicals. However, you can also use our "On My Way" feature to let us know you're coming, which can help reduce your wait time.

With your permission, we can send the results to your child's primary care physician. This helps ensure continuity of care. Just let us know at the time of your visit, and we'll take care of it.

While sports physicals are thorough, they're not designed to detect every possible health issue. They focus on health problems that may interfere with sports participation or increase the risk of injury. Regular check-ups with your child's primary care physician are still important for overall health monitoring.

If there are concerns about your child's ability to safely participate in sports, we'll explain why and discuss next steps. This might include further testing, treatment for a specific condition, or modifications to allow safe participation. Our goal is to keep your child safe while helping them stay active whenever possible.