How a Sports Physical Can Help Prevent Injuries in Young Athletes

Preventive healthcare is important, especially for children. Part of preventive healthcare is a sports physical, which can help prevent injuries in your young athlete. Drs. Stacy O’Sullivan, Uyen Le, and Lauren Hayes at Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK, provide comprehensive pediatric medical care, including sports physicals.

How a Sports Physical Can Benefit Your Child

Did you know that a sports physical is required before your child can play a sport? They are required because they can help prevent your child from suffering sports injuries.

When your child is active playing a sport, several physical changes happen. Your child begins to:

• Breathe more heavily
• Experience an increased heart rate
• Experience muscle, tendon, and ligament strain

A sports physical can help identify potential issues your child might have when your child is active. During the sports physical appointment, your pediatrician will:

• Record a full medical history including any allergies, medications, recent illnesses, or hospitalizations
• Perform a thorough physical examination including evaluation of breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Check your child’s vision and hearing

There are several additional factors that will be evaluated and can help prevent sports injuries. Your Tulsa pediatrician will assess your child’s reflexes, strength, muscle tone, and balance. These factors are important for your child to function well and avoid injury.

Your pediatrician will also discuss important safety measures to protect your child during a sport. Wearing appropriate safety gear, warming up before becoming active, and ramping up activity intensity are all important preventive steps to discuss.

Your pediatrician is a valuable resource and an expert on pediatric medicine, so don’t hesitate to ask your pediatrician questions or discuss any concerns you have about your child playing a sport.

Schedule Your Child's Sports Physical

To find out more about sports physicals and how they can help prevent injuries in your young athlete, talk with the experts. Call Drs. Stacy O’Sullivan, Uyen Le, and Lauren Hayes at Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK. You can reach them in the office by calling (918) 523-5437, so call now!