Your child seems healthy and energetic, so sports is a natural fit. Plus, playing sports builds stamina, keeps your child strong, and develops social skills. But, before you enroll your child in a school or club sport, it’s a smart idea to get them a pediatric sports physical.
Margaret Lubega, MD, of First Pediatric Care in Gastonia, North Carolina, offers pediatric sports physicals. Children who are starting a new sport or a new season of a sport benefit from these physical exams.
Here, we share the benefits of sports physicals for children and teens. A preseason physical can:
More than 2.6 million children visit emergency rooms every year due to injuries caused by sports and recreation. While many of these injuries are simple accidents that couldn’t have been prevented, some of them may be avoidable.
Dr. Lubega can detect areas of imbalance or overuse in your child’s body that are vulnerable to injury. Sprains, strains, and tendonitis are often preventable. She can recommend stretching or strengthening activities that help prevent injuries. She can also identify risk factors that make your child vulnerable to injury in certain sports.
A child with asthma or diabetes shouldn’t feel like they can’t participate in sports because of their condition. Dr. Lubega can help you manage your child’s chronic condition and help them understand their limits so they can make smart decisions during play.
Dr. Lubega may also adjust medications and other aspects of your child’s treatment plan according to the sport your child plays. She wants your child to succeed and perform at their best.
Most official sports teams require a preseason physical so they know their players are healthy and if they need to be aware of any potential complications during play. You also benefit from knowing that your child is as safe as possible when you drop them off at practice or watch them at game time.
During your child’s sports physical, Dr. Lubega can offer tips and recommendations that help your child’s performance out on the field, track, or court. These may include suggestions for nutrition, cross-training activities, and rest and recovery time. She can help you help your child incorporate smart training techniques that make them stronger and more energetic each and every day.
A sports physical is a time that Dr. Lubega reviews your child’s personal and family medical history and looks for any potential signs that could indicate an underlying heart, respiratory, or bone condition. While these conditions are rare, they can be devastating to your child’s athletic future and overall health.
During the physical, Dr. Lubega checks your child’s height and weight, evaluates blood pressure and heart rate, and checks your child’s vision. She’ll also assess their lungs, ears, throat, and nose as well as their joints, bone health, flexibility, and mobility.
A sports physical is an important and simple act of preventive care for your child. Schedule one for your son or daughter today.
Call our office in Gastonia, North Carolina, or click here to book your child’s appointment right now.
