Back-to-School Season Is Here, and So Are Fall Sports: Don't Forget the Physical

As summer is winding down and families on Long Island are gearing up for back-to-school, it's time to get excited to find that community spirit and cheer for your favorite local sports teams!

Whether it's soccer, football, cheer, or cross country, getting back into the swing of practices and games is one of the best parts of the season. Participation in sports helps kids not only build confidence, make new friends, and spark their passion, but it also helps them stay active and keep their bodies healthy. Before jumping in though, it is important to ensure children are healthy and safe to participate, regardless of the sport itself.

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Sports physicals, even for otherwise healthy children, are an important opportunity to make sure that time spent on the court, field, or stage will be safe and fun for all. During routine sports physicals, we're screening for any hidden health issues, or anything that might affect a child's ability to play safely. We want to help athletes, families and coaches be prepared to manage known or unknown injuries, and to prevent new ones.

A sports physical visit often includes checking vital signs, and a general physical exam. The provider will take a full medical history and confirm vaccinations if the school or organization requires them. It's also a great opportunity to conduct baseline neurological testing for contact sports, which gives us something to compare against if a head injury occurs down the road, and it's a great time to speak about injury prevention. If any health concerns are identified, the provider can recommend additional evaluation, treatment, or accommodation before the season begins to help keep young athletes safe.

Alongside getting that pre-season physical scheduled, parents can help future players get ready for the season ahead by:

• Checking all equipment and protective gear for damage and ensuring it still fits properly. This is important if your child is using the same equipment from season to season.
• Teaching proper hydration and encouraging breaks when fatigued. This is especially important in the beginning of fall outdoor sports when temperatures can still climb.
• Encouraging your young athletes to do proper warmups to prevent injury so they can enjoy the whole season without interruption.

Getting kids involved in local sports is a wonderful thing, both for physical and social development. It teaches collaboration, coordination, teamwork, and helps them grow stronger and more confident. Scheduling a sports physical, whether with your pediatrician or at an urgent care like Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, helps set them up for a safe, exciting season! Game on!