Most schools in South Carolina require a passed sports physical at least six weeks before the start of your student athlete’s season.

To learn more about the necessity of sports physicals, check out what our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team has to say below!

Why Are Sports Physicals Necessary?

In South Carolina, every student-athlete must have a completed physical before he or she is allowed to participate, play or practice. But why?

Sports physicals raise awareness of any issues, like hernias and uncontrolled asthma, that may interfere with your child’s ability to participate in a sport. If you are unfamiliar with what kinds of information your healthcare provider will need during a sports physical, we’ve listed a common outline below.

Typical Information Needed During a Sports Physical

• Serious illnesses among family members
• Illnesses that your child may have now, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy
• Allergies
• Past injuries, including concussions, sprains or bone fractures
• Whether your child ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain or had trouble breathing during exercise
• Any medications your child is on, including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and prescription medications
• Height and weight
• Strength of your child’s heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
• Your child’s posture, joints, strength and flexibility

How Different Are the Exams Between Boys and Girls?

The exam is basically the same for both genders, minus a few different questions. If the patient is female, for instance, questions about menstruation may be necessary, and those questions determine if there are any necessary further tests.

If you aren’t sure when to stop by our AFC center for a sports physical, we’ve listed some common rules of thumb below.

When to Get a Sports Physical

• At least six weeks before starting any new sport
• After an injury to assess your student athlete’s ability to rejoin the chosen sport

Remember to get your child’s sports physical completed before the start of his or her season! We offer them at AFC Urgent Care Powdersville, so don’t hesitate to stop by today.