Sports, Work & Camp Physicals
A physical examination (often referred to as “a physical”) is a routine set of observations & tests providers perform to evaluate your overall health. Physicals are required for participation in school sports and activities, for camps, and by some employers for pre-employment screening.
During your physical exam, the provider evaluates the general status of your health in order to determine whether or not you are fit to participate in activities or perform the duties and responsibilities of your work. The level of testing and examination required during the physical is determined by the entity for whom the exam is being ordered, such as your school district, the athletic department, or your employer, to name a few.
Why a physical exam is necessary for school sports or activities
The purpose of a sports physical for school is to determine if a student is healthy enough to participate in sports and to minimize the risk of sports-related injuries. The sports physical exam is designed to identify any high-risk disorder or condition that might affect the athlete’s ability to play or threaten his or her safety. These include heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell trait, and asthma. The physical exam also ensures that your child is up-to-date with his or her immunizations, such as the most recent tetanus shot, the hepatitis B series, the chickenpox vaccine, and the measles immunization.
Work physicals determine job fitness and protect workplace safety
The goal of the pre-employment physical is to determine whether or not the prospective employee is capable of performing the physical demands of the job. These tests make it possible to increase productivity by identifying candidates who would not be able to carry out the physical requirements of a particular job.
A pre-employment physical is also aimed at maximizing workplace safety and minimizing the risk of worksite accidents. If a physician identifies a health concern during a physical, the candidate has the opportunity to address the issue before it becomes a serious problem. Physicals also give people information they can use when deciding whether to accept or decline a job offer.
What to expect
Depending on the level of testing needed, the physician may do some or all of the following:
- Check your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level)
- Listen to your heart and lungs
- Feel your abdomen
- Look in your eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Test how strong and flexible you are
- Calculate body mass index
- Order and review any required and appropriate lab tests
For a physical exam for work, school, or camp, please contact us. If you would like more information, call or text 505-386-1380.