All You Need to Know About Back-to-School, Sports, and Camp Physicals

As summer winds down and kids prepare to head back to school, parents need to make sure their kids are not only well-prepared academically but also in optimal health. It's time to prioritize back-to-school, sport, and camp physicals, which are paramount in safeguarding the well-being and safety of children and youngsters as they step back into the classroom or have fun in camp activities.

School, sports, and camp physicals help to screen children for pre-existing medical conditions before participating in any of these activities no matter what grade they are about to begin. Keep reading to learn more about how these physicals can become a perfect addition to your kid’s annual checkups.

What Are School, Sports, and Camp Physicals?

In general, these physicals are examinations before your child participates in any school activity, a specific sport, or camping. During these examinations, the main goal is to seek the well-being of the child who will participate in a particular sport or school activity.

Parents need to bear in mind that since school and camp physicals are more limited in content than an annual examination and screening, yearly physical and immunization checkups should still be adhered to to ensure the health of your child.

During sports and camp physicals, it is a perfect time to talk about the value of good nutrition and daily physical activity, the importance of maintaining healthy habits while growing up, and other health-related issues in general.

Not only can camp and sports physicals help identify any potential health issues that could affect a child's ability to participate in sports, but they can also help prevent injuries and early diagnosis of diseases.

How to Get the Most Out of School, Sports, and Camp Physicals?

The best way to maximize a child’s physical appointment is to plan. Updating your children's medical information before sports and camp physicals help their healthcare providers to have a complete and accurate understanding of their health status.

When updating your children's medical information, there are several key factors to consider. Remember to:

• Give detailed information about any existing medical conditions, including chronic illnesses, allergies, or medications.
• Inform of any recent injuries.
• Update your children’s emergency contact information.
• Draft a battery of questions about any concern related to nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, or any other emotional and physical issue. It is also the perfect moment to clear up any mental health worries.
• Ask your child if they want to make questions to the pediatrician and write them down. If your child is old enough, let them ask their own questions.

What to Expect During School, Sports, and Camp Physicals?

Physicians assess children’s health, including vitals, joints, and flexibility. They also conduct vision tests and a brief fitness examination to identify and advise on potential restrictions for physical activities.

Doctors at Sisselman Medical Group prioritize creating a comfortable and relaxed environment during school and sports physicals. We understand the significance of a child's self-image and self-esteem, ensuring that no aspect of their physical appearance becomes a cause for discomfort or self-consciousness. By fostering a positive experience, we aim to empower children and shape their future self-perception.

Some of the standard assessments may include:

Medical Records Evaluation

Healthcare professionals gather information on children’s and their family’s medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, or conditions like asthma or chest pains. The medical records review helps them diagnose potential problems and prevent complications down the road with the specific activity that children will participate in.

Vitals check

Vitals check involves measuring key health indicators, including weight, height, mass index, heart rate, and blood pressure, plus examining if there is stress on joints, muscles, and bones.

Vision and Hearing Evaluation

During an eye exam, the specialist assesses if a kid’s vision is working optimally or if there is a need for corrective measures such as prescription lenses. The healthcare professional will employ various techniques and tests to assess visual acuity, depth perception, color vision, and eye coordination.

Regular eye exams ensure your children's vision is at its best, allowing them to thrive academically and engage in physical activities.

During a hearing evaluation, a series of tests are conducted to assess the auditory capabilities of children. These tests help determine the level of hearing sensitivity and identify any potential hearing impairments.

The evaluation typically involves measuring the movement of the eardrum, assessing the middle ear function, listening to different tones and responding accordingly, and evaluating the ability to understand speech.

Fitness Assessments

This comprehensive evaluation allows the healthcare professional to recommend any necessary physical activity limitations, ensuring your child's safety and well-being.

The healthcare professional will examine the ears, nose, throat, abdomen, and lungs to evaluate their function and detect any potential issues. As part of the assessment, children’s strength, flexibility, and joints will be tested to identify body parts that could get injured.

Benefits of School, Sports, and Camp Physicals

School, sports, and camp physicals are important to detect if there could exist any underlying health problems or risks. This early detection allows for appropriate management and intervention.

Physicals provide an opportunity to update immunizations, protect against vaccine-preventable diseases, and promote optimal health for your children. Additionally, these exams serve as an opportunity to discuss important health topics, such as nutrition, exercise, and injury prevention.

They also foster a relationship between healthcare professionals, children, and their families, establishing a foundation for ongoing healthcare management and support. By prioritizing these physical evaluations, we can empower children to lead healthy, active lives and optimize their overall well-being.

If you are looking for a trusted specialist to perform back-to-school, sports, and camp physicals, Sisselman Medical Group not only offers family practice services but also provides thorough and complete school and camp physicals. Upon your first initial visit to our facilities at Sisselman Medical Group, we are confident that you will be more than satisfied with our practitioners and staff. Contact us today and schedule your next back-to-school physical appointment.