Sports and School Physical Exam Q&A

Sometimes it’s necessary for a child (or an adult) to get a physical exam when they join a new sports team or start a new sports season. The physical may actually be a pre-entry requirement. The physical is important because it helps ensure the athlete will be able to perform the sport safely.

It may be necessary for a child or teen to get a school physical when they’re attending a new school or continuing their education. Again, this may be a pre-entry requirement.

A school physical is important because it helps ensure a child or teen is developing and maturing well, and it allows a medical professional to address any physical, emotional, or social concerns. A school physical is also important to help ensure a child or teen is properly vaccinated. There’s another reason why school physicals are important, and it’s because they can give schools the information they need to provide for a child or teen’s individual needs.

Sports and school physicals are pretty similar to other physical exams, so a medical professional will typically check the patient’s:

• Personal health history and family health history (to look for any risks or recurring health issues)
• Vaccination history (the professional may also offer any important vaccinations)
• Vital signs (such as heart rate, weight, and blood pressure)
• General body health (including eye, ear, nose, heart, lung, and skin health)
• Speech and motor functions

With sports and school physicals, a medical professional may also check for other things to make sure the patient is ready to proceed with playing a sport or attending a school.

In a sports physical or a school physical, a medical professional will likely check for the things we mentioned above and other things. With a sports physical, the professional will also check the patient’s physical strength, reflexes, and agility, or with a school physical, the professional will check the patient’s level of development. This includes things like emotional and social development, which are very relevant to school life.

You should go to primary care for these physicals! Primary care can easily provide physical exams like school and sports physicals, and they can see anyone in your family, including your kids. Additionally, primary care can provide physicals without the need for an appointment, which is especially convenient if you or your child hasn’t had a physical exam in a while, or if someone needs a physical right away so they can play a sport or attend school.

Internal Medicine and Family Practice is a primary care clinic, so we can serve you. Our clinic is located near you in Joliet, IL.

Staying active starts with good health, and Dr. Wael Mctabi, MD, provides thorough sports and school physicals to ensure every student or athlete is ready for success. Each exam focuses on identifying potential health risks, encouraging safe activity, and promoting lifelong wellness habits. Dr. Wael’s compassionate approach helps patients feel at ease while ensuring they meet participation requirements confidently. His goal is to keep you strong, healthy, and ready to perform your best—on and off the field.

We look forward to seeing you soon here at Internal Medicine and Family Practice! For more information, we welcome you to call us or schedule an appointment! We are located at 1719 Glenwood Ave Joliet, IL 60435. We serve patients from Joliet IL, Plainfield IL, Lockport IL, Channahon IL, Romeoville IL, Manhattan IL and surrounding areas.