Sports Physicals

Does your child need a physical to play on their school’s sports team? At Merritt Pediatrics in San Antonio, Texas, board-certified pediatrician Christina Merritt, MD, offers sports physicals to children and teenagers to ensure that they are healthy enough to participate safely in physical activities. Schedule a sports physical by phone or request one online today.

What are sports physicals?

Sports physicals are medical exams that screen for potential health concerns that could be problematic during sports activities. Dr. Merritt offers these physicals as an alternative to physical exams offered at schools, which are often quick and impersonal. 

Dr. Merritt’s physicals are thorough, complete, and personalized. She gets to know your family and child well, as sports physicals are included in the Merritt Pediatrics concierge medicine monthly membership fee. You can take advantage of this service rather than billing your insurance company and dealing with co-pays and high deductibles.

What are the benefits of sports physicals?

In addition to being a requirement for participating in school-sponsored sporting activities, sports physicals detect medical problems like asthma, heart conditions, and injuries before they become problematic or even dangerous during sporting events. These physicals offer peace of mind and a clean bill of health for young athletes.

What happens during sports physicals?

During sports physicals, Dr. Merritt takes as much time as your child needs to ensure optimal health and safety while participating in sports activities. She weighs them and evaluates their body mass index (BMI), as well as their growth and development. 

Dr. Merritt checks their pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs and completes a physical exam. She evaluates your child’s ears, eyes, throat, heartbeat, breathing, limbs, reflexes, vision, and hearing. 

Depending on their health and risk factors, she could suggest blood work and/or urinalysis, heart- and lung-function tests, and imaging procedures.

If your child meets sports physical requirements, Dr. Merritt fills out a physical exam form and gives you a copy for your records. She offers treatments for injuries and other medical concerns, as well as vaccines.

How often should I schedule sports physicals for my child?

Schedule a sports physical for your child yearly to ensure that they remain in good health and are fully cleared to participate in sports, especially contact sports. Many school sports teams require sports physicals, but even if they don’t, you can still have your child complete one at Merritt Pediatrics to gain peace of mind.

Schedule your sports physical at Merritt Pediatrics by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.