Sports physical appointments
About Sports physical
A sports physical exam or a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is a checkup with a healthcare professional before a new sports season or return to school. The goal is to assess your health and fitness as it relates to your sport to determine if you can safely compete. The doctor or provider can also give advice on how to protect against injury, and how to safely play with an existing medical condition (for example, if you have asthma, your doctor may prescribe a different inhaler or change their medicine).
Sports physicals are usually required to participate in middle school and high school sports that are organized through the school. Club sports often do not require them (though doctors still recommend getting one). It should be noted that a sports physical is not a replacement for regular medical care or checkups with your or your child's health care provider. Also, while physicals are not required for adult sports, it is generally a good idea to see your physician before starting any new sport or physical activity.