Sports Physicals Specialist

New Beginnings Pediatrics

Pediatrics located in Glendale, AZ

No matter how competitive your child is, a sports physical can verify that it’s safe for them to participate in physical activity by themselves or with their peers. At New Beginnings Pediatrics in Glendale, Arizona, Aashima Bansal, MD, performs in-depth sports physicals to make sure your child is ready to play. Schedule your child’s sports physical by calling New Beginnings Pediatrics or booking online today.

Sports Physicals Q & A

What are sports physicals?

A sports physical is a medical evaluation that verifies your child’s mental and physical ability to participate in sports and other physical activities safely. Also called a preparticipation physical examination (PPE), it evaluates your child’s overall health, development, and strength. 

A few of the many aspects of health that Dr. Bansal addresses during your child’s sports physical at New Beginnings Pediatrics are:

  • Signs of a concussion or other head injury
  • Unique needs for any present disabilities
  • Bone health
  • Nutrition
  • Menstrual health for female athletes
  • Mental health needs
  • Cardiovascular health

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends seeing your child’s primary care pediatrician for a sports physical rather than going to urgent care or a mass physical event at your child’s school. As your child’s pediatrician, Dr. Bansal is more familiar with your child’s personal needs and medical history, and she specializes in child and adolescent health. 

What happens during a sports physical?

A sports physical is similar to a standard yearly physical in that it examines your child’s overall health and wellness. However, it emphasizes physical ability and your child’s safety while playing sports and exercising. The two key components of each sports physical are:

Medical history

Dr. Bansal requests and goes over your family medical history as well as your child’s personal medical history. She asks questions about allergies, symptoms that occur during exercise, past and current diagnoses, and previous hospitalizations and surgeries. All of these details might be relevant to your child’s physical abilities. 

Physical exam

During the physical exam portion, Dr. Bansal measures and records your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse. She then tests their vision, posture, joint function, flexibility, and strength. These details can tell a lot about your child’s safety while playing both team and individual sports. 

After finishing the medical history and exam, Dr. Bansal completes any necessary paperwork from your child’s school or sports organization, showing that it’s safe for them to participate. Otherwise, she recommends changes that must happen before your child passes the physical. 

Does my child still need a standard physical if they get a sports physical?

Both sports physicals and regular physicals are important, and one should not take the place of the other. Your child still needs regular physicals to evaluate their overall health and development, and they should be separate from the sports physicals that your child needs for sports and activity participation.

Even if your child doesn’t play sports at school or with any organization, they can benefit from getting a sports physical at New Beginnings Pediatrics. You should also be sure to report any unusual changes or symptoms that come up when your child is physically active, even if the results of their sports physical were normal for a child of their age. 

If you’d like to schedule a sports physical for your child, call New Beginnings Pediatrics, or book an appointment online today.