It’s that time of year again…

     Whether or not your child is looking to play a sport or be a part of the marching band, now is the time to get that “sports physical.”  In Texas, it is called the UIL Sports Physical, and it is a very good screening tool to help screen for problems that can occur in late childhood/early adulthood that would otherwise be missed.

     The actual physical exam by the doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner is important, but the first page or “History Form” is the single most important tool to screen for asthma, cardiac abnormalities, physical ailments such as joint problems, scoliosis, etc.  As an examining physician for a student, I use that form to base the focus of my exam.  For example, if there was a previous knee injury or surgery, the exam will not just be the usual, general exam of the joints but will include a detailed knee exam.  Likewise, if there is an asthma history, further questions will be asked about asthma control, medication use, response to medications, and family history to fully assess the student athlete’s risk going into athletics.  As you can imagine, there are many other examples I could mention but you get the idea.

     Speaking as a parent of both athletic kids as well as a marching band member, I can tell you the need is the same- a screening exam is necessary for pre-band participation.  They are practicing in the heat of summer, and will be exerting themselves by marching, carrying and playing their instruments, and doing it all for many hours at a time.  I’m exhausted just thinking about it…

     Every year, at any given school, the vast majority of the kids pass the physical just fine without any problem.  A small percentage of them have some kind of previously unrecognized problem for which they will need to be followed up in their doctor’s office or get a procedure like an EKG or echocardiogram to screen for the dangerous stuff.  Of these, most of these ultimately get cleared for athletics or band.  However, “if we never look for it we won’t find it” and could miss something that could save someone’s life.  It is for this reason I recommend all students participating in band or athletics to get that yearly UIL Sports Physical done.  That way, they can focus on school and extracurricular activities without worry about missed diagnoses.

     So get that UIL School Physical for your child as soon as you can.

- Derek A. Farley, D.O.