Sports Physicals
Sports physicals are not the same thing as well visits. The thoroughness of a well visit allows for sports physical clearance, but an appointment that is booked only as a sports physical only determines if a child/adolescent is cleared to participate in whichever specific sport(s) he/she is interested in participating. Sports clearance needs to be considered from a musculoskeletal perspective, a neurological perspective, and a cardiopulmonary perspective. It is up to the school's discretion how recently an exam needs to be done to be considered valid for sports clearance, and therefore, if a well visit was not done in that time frame, an appointment specifically booked as a sports physical may be necessary. If any issues are identified that need evaluation or management before clearance can be obtained, a referral to the appropriate pediatric subspecialist may be made.