MANA has a number of clinics that offer sports physicals and wellness exams for children and adults. A primary care doctor can provide a wellness exam that includes a sports clearance exam. Contact these clinics for a sports physical appointment:
Why do you need a sports physical?
Often a physical is required by your school or team, or by your child’s school, team, or camp. A sports physical can help you prepare for a healthy season, and keep you from suffering an unexpected injury. A sports physical will make sure that you are in good health, and that you are fit enough to participate in the sport that you want to play.
Sports physical exams, or pre-participation physical examinations (PPE), typically consist of a physician getting your medical history as well as a physical examination.
What happens during a sports physical?
Usually, a sports physical includes both a physical exam and questions about your medical history.
Your medical history:
- current illnesses or conditions
- conditions you’ve had in the past
- sicknesses that run in your family
- previous surgeries, injuries, or hospitalizations, allergies, etc.
- Getting an accurate and detailed look at your medical history helps the doctor identify any potential conditions you may have or could develop.
Your physical exam:
- height and weight
- blood pressure reading
- heart and lungs checks
- sight and hearing checks
- strength and flexibility tests
- posture and joint health
Sports physicals are important in keeping children and athletes safe, and many teams require that all athletes undergo a physical examination before they may participate.
Wellness exam or sports physical?
A sports exam is not the same as a wellness exam. There are some important differences you should consider before scheduling your child’s exam.
- A wellness exam includes patient health history, a complete physical exam and age appropriate immunizations.
- A wellness exam can include a sports clearance exam.
- Sports physicals typically take less time.
- Sports physicals may miss underlying health conditions such as asthma, heart conditions, and pre-diabetes.
- A wellness exam for children is usually covered 100% by your insurance.
- Your insurance may not cover a sports exam.
Where can you get a sports physical?
Kids can visit Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics for a well-child exam that includes a sports clearance exam.
Children and Adults can visit MANA Family Medicine with several Northwest Arkansas locations for a wellness exam that can include sports clearance for children and adults.
You can visit MANA Urgent Care, with two Fayetteville locations, for a sports physical.