A high school sports physical or athletic physical — sometimes called a pre-participation exam (PPE) — assesses whether teenage athletes are in good enough health to practice and compete in sports. Most states in the U.S., including Texas, require some kind of annual sports physical. Here's what athletes and parents need to know.
The major purpose of a high school pre-participation exam is to rule out the risk of serious injury or harm that might have been avoided through careful screening.
Sports physicals are yearly because schools and coaches need to know, on an ongoing basis, that athletes are healthy and fit to participate in a safe manner.
Also, an annual exam before the start of your sports season can rule out injury or underlying health conditions that may have developed since your last annual exam.
Heart health, especially among young males, is a particular focus of sports physicals. Although sudden death from a cardiac event is rare, male athletes are in a much higher risk category than females and should be carefully screened.
Doctors will also give special attention to conditions like asthma, seizure disorders like epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, and post-concussive syndromes. (If you have had a concussion in the past, be sure to mention this to your doctor at your exam.)
If you pass your exam, you'll be given medical clearance to participate. Getting cleared means that you can safely train and compete.
Coaches depend on the results of these clearance exams to help them plan their rosters and find substitutes.
Injured athletes may require rehabilitation before they can be cleared.
A doctor can create a rehab plan so you can make a safe return to your sport. Your doctor can also prescribe you exercises or sports medicine programs that will help re-build your strength and improve your performance.
If you need particular treatment or even surgery, a referral to a specialist like a cardiologist or orthopedist may be in order.
Most states in the U.S. now require some form of annual sports physical.
If you play any team sport, you will likely be required by your high school to take an exam and get medically cleared to participate.
Even if your high school doesn't require a check-up for you to play on a team, it's a good idea to plan your annual physical so it occurs about six to eight weeks before the start of your athletic season.
High school sports injuries are common. It's in your best interest to diagnose any underlying health conditions that may make you prone to harm.
Though all athletes need regular check-ups, some of the high school sports where injuries are common are:
Check with your school and coach to see if your state has special requirements. In many cases, however, you can obtain a sports physical from:
Some large high schools may even organize group screenings of athletes, where different specialists (including orthopedists) may be present. Dr. Williams and several of his colleagues are proud to visit the Flour Bluff High School campus annually to provide sports physicals for students. This group event makes obtaining a sports physical convenient and efficient for athletes and their parents.
Sports physicals ideally should be conducted about six to eight weeks before the start of your sports season.
State requirements vary. Most high school athletic physicals consist of an exam and interview to screen for disease and injury.
You may need to provide your doctor paperwork from your school: a sports physical form, a pre-participation physical evaluation form (or "PPE form"), or an athletic release form. Use the link below for an example of the UIL Texas Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation form.
https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/forms/PrePhysFormRvsd1_10_20.pdf
For you to get medical clearance to play, the form must be signed by a doctor and given to your school or coach.
During your exam, your doctor will take a full medical history, asking about your general health, allergies, medications, and any past injuries (like fractures, joint pain or problems, or concussions) you've sustained.
Your doctor may also ask you questions to screen for particular symptoms or behaviors; for example:
During the physical part of the exam, the doctor may check your:
In some cases, special tests may be ordered, such as X-rays, blood tests, or electrocardiograms or stress tests.
At the end of your exam, your doctor will provide you a medical clearance and will note whether it's safe for you to play the sport without restrictions, or whether any special adjustments or modifications need to be made in order for you to participate safely. (For example, do you need special safety equipment, should you carry an Epi-pen or inhaler, etc.?)
Male athletes' sports physicals will tend to focus more on screening for heart conditions than females', as young men are at much higher risk of sudden death from cardiac events.
Female athletes' sports physicals may screen for conditions found more often in young women, such as eating disorders and body image concerns, stress fractures, osteoporosis, ACL injuries, and certain knee and foot disorders.
If a student athlete has a history of injury or an underlying medical condition, a team approach to medical care is often needed to ensure the athlete is safety and healthy.
Orthopedists are frequently a critical part of this team approach, especially when athletes have experienced musculoskeletal injuries or have musculoskeletal defects or conditions.
Orthopedists can help student athletes by:
If you need a consultation to assess a sports injury or to talk about any orthopedic conditions that may be affecting your sports performance, give Coastal Orthopedics located in Corpus Christi, TX a call. Our orthopedic specialists can assess your situation and discuss your options. Telephone: 361.994.1166.
Article written by: Rob Williams, MD