You can picture it now: Your son makes an amazing catch and runs the ball straight into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown or the longest volley comes out in favor of your daughter’s all-star team…but only if your child has his or her sports physical completed for the season!

Getting this important exam done at the start of any sports season is typically required, and you certainly want to make sure your child doesn’t miss out on any games or practices because you don’t have it taken care of in time.

AFC Urgent Care Boulder is open seven days a week and offers sports physicals at a competitive price. Come see us to get this checked off your list, and read on to learn more about the importance of this exam.

Do I Need to Make an Advanced Appointment?

You don’t have to, but you certainly can if you want. We offer sports physicals whenever we are open and you can just come by when it works for your busy schedule. We will get you checked in and a provider will be with you shortly. We know you have a lot on your plate, so we do our best to keep all visits under an hour from start to finish.

We will get your vital signs first and then work through your family’s health history as well as your own. We are looking for hereditary or genetic conditions like heart issues or respiratory problems, like asthma. We are also doing a thorough check for injuries or signs of a potential condition that would inhibit your child’s ability to play his or her sport safely.

Changes We Check for During a Sports Physical

• Change in asthma symptoms
• Underlying heart conditions
• New allergies
• Organ injuries or conditions

Can My Child Fail a Sports Physical?

Sports physicals are often not a hard pass or fail. We are simply checking for potential issues that might become problematic during the course of a season. For example, we often see athletes with asthma come through our center. An asthma diagnosis doesn’t mean your child can’t participate, but we might need to tweak or adjust medication accordingly so your child can perform at his or her best.

The vast majority of athletes don’t have any issues participating in their favorite sports even if a conditions or concern presents itself during a sports physical. It may just be something that we suggest you follow up on with your family provider more regularly. An annual exam can ensure your child is ready for each season, so come see us every summer to be ready for all of the fall sports!

Potential Discussions Following a Sports Physical

• Change to asthma medication or inhaler
• Prescriptions for an auto-injector pen for a severe allergy
• Suggestions on protective sports equipment
• More frequent monitoring or doctor’s visits
  

We want your child to take the field or hit the gym with confidence this fall. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Boulder for a sports physical.