A sports physical, also known as a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is a comprehensive medical evaluation specifically tailored to assess a young athlete's readiness to engage in sports and other physical activities.What sets a sports physical apart from a routine physical exam? While both types of exams focus on evaluating a child's overall health, there are key differences between a sports physical and a regular physical examination. Sports physicals focus on assessing factors impacting safe athletic participation, including existing injuries, risk factors, and medical conditions. They also evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, discuss sport-specific issues like technique and injury prevention, review previous injuries, and provide clearance for participation based on findings.
Sports Clearance: Preparing Your Child for Active Participation
At Thrive Pediatrics, we make getting your child ready for sports simple and stress-free.
Sports clearance exams (sports physicals) are essential for ensuring your child is healthy and ready to safely join physical activities. Whether it’s their first soccer match or varsity football, our sports physical clearance exams cater to the unique needs of growing athletes. It’s more than just filling out forms—sports physicals help identify potential risks and support long-term health.
What Sports Clearance Involves
During your child’s sports physical, we carefully review:
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Medical history and prior injuries – concussions, broken bones, asthma, allergies, or family heart history
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Growth and development – height, weight, and puberty milestones that may affect performance or endurance
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Heart and lungs check – blood pressure, heart rhythm, and breathing with exercise risk in mind
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Musculoskeletal exam – joint stability, strength, flexibility, and posture to spot injury risks
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Vision and hearing screening – to ensure safety during play and quick reaction times
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Sports-specific readiness – guidance on conditioning, hydration, and safe return-to-play if there’s an old injury
Why Sports Clearance is Crucial, Even for Healthy Kids
Even if your child seems healthy, a sports clearance exam is an important step to make sure they can participate safely and perform their best. These checkups are more than just a form — they’re designed to identify concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed.
A sports physical can help detect and prevent:
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Heart rhythm or cardiac risks that may put teens at risk during intense activity
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Exercise-related breathing issues like exercise-induced bronchospasm or poor conditioning
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High blood pressure or growth concerns that may affect health and stamina
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Old or recurring injuries (ankle sprains, knee pain, shoulder instability) that could flare up with training
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Concussion risks and recovery readiness, especially for contact sports
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Nutrition, hydration, or sleep issues that impact performance and safety
Bottom line: Sports physicals aren’t just a requirement for school teams — they’re a chance to protect your child’s health, reduce the risk of injuries, and set them up for a strong season.
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We’re so thankful for Thrive Pediatrics! Dr. Tim and his team are knowledgeable and professional. Scheduling appointments is always quick and easy. The clinic is clean and organized, and we feel our boys are in great hands. Highly recommend Dr. Tim and the team for excellent care!
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We’ve been seeing Dr. Tim for our 1-year-old and couldn’t be happier. He’s patient, thorough, and genuinely cares about our child's well-being. As first-time parents, it’s reassuring to trust him completely. Highly recommend Dr. Tim for exceptional pediatric care!
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We love Thrive Pediatrics! Tim has been our provider for over 3 years. He shows genuine care for our daughters' health, and it's easy to schedule appointments with no wait time. 100% recommend!
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We’re so thankful for Thrive Pediatrics! Dr. Tim and his team are knowledgeable and professional. Scheduling appointments is always quick and easy. The clinic is clean and organized, and we feel our boys are in great hands. Highly recommend Dr. Tim and the team for excellent care!
Ready to Support Your Teen’s Health Journey?
Book your child's sport physical at Thrive Pediatrics to ensure they stay healthy, active ,and ready to play!