South Tampa Immediate Care Offers Pre-Sports Screening Physicals for Young Athletes in Tampa, FL

Pre-Sports Screening Tampa FL

Pre-sports screening physicals are performed at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida. Intended primarily for high school and college students, this type of exam is designed to help ensure that a young athlete is ready to participate safely and fully in his or her sport.

Typically, a pre-sports screening physical includes a medical history review and a physical examination designed to identify any factors that could potentially affect an athlete’s ability to play. When performing sports physicals, we will usually:

  • Confirm that the athlete is in overall good health
  • Check vital signs, including pulse rate, body temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure
  • Evaluate existing health conditions and injuries, if any
  • Consider the possible effects of any current and prior health conditions, such as allergies, asthma, concussions, and fractures, which may increase the risk of injuries
  • Ensure that all immunizations are up to date, including tetanus
  • Assess the athlete’s general fitness level
  • Consider the athlete’s physical and mental development relative to his or her sport
  • Discuss the use of dietary supplements, and warn against the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs

Pre-sports screening physicals are required by many schools and youth sports organizations in Florida. However, regardless of whether or not these exams are required, we believe pre-participation evaluations are a good idea for all young athletes. While there is no hard and fast rule regarding the appropriate timeframe, we suggest six weeks prior to the start of a season. This schedule can provide enough time for an athlete to enhance his or her conditioning prior to participation, which can help prevent future injuries.

At South Tampa Immediate Care, we believe it is important for everyone to pay close attention to their health, especially those who participate in high-intensity sports. By offering pre-sports physicals, we believe we are taking an important step toward ensuring the safety of young athletes. Contact us today to learn more about the health screenings we perform for athletes at our walk-in medical center in Tampa, FL, or bring you child in for a pre-participation sports screening today.