providers at leitchfield pediatrics

With the school year and sporting year fast approaching, physicals for children tend to make their way into the schedule for many families. But what's the difference between a school physical and a sports physical? Leitchfield Pediatrics in Leitchfield, KY, ensures families know the difference between the two exams and makes each child healthy, safe, and well so they can succeed.

Understanding School Physicals

A check-up, or a school physical, is a routine check-up considering your child's general development and health. It's a requirement for growth monitoring, immunizations administered, and screening for any underlying health issues.

At a school physical, your healthcare provider will:

• Track height, weight, and vital signs
• Screen for vision and hearing
• Vaccination history checks and immunizations, as needed
• Discuss nutrition, sleep, behavior, and mental health
• Resolve any issues that parents or children might have

It's also a great opportunity to get your preventive care caught up and create health goals for the coming year.

What Is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical, or pre-participation physical exam (PPE), focuses on your child’s preparedness to participate safely in sports. While not as comprehensive as a school physical, it is a valuable screening that identifies risk for injury or illness during physical activity.

A standard sporting physical normally includes:

• A health history of your child
• Past injury, concussion, and current conditions questions
• A physical exam focusing on cardiac status, pulmonary function, joint range of motion, and muscle strength
• Recommendations for treatment and/or prevention of injury

Some children need physicals annually, but others do the two simultaneously, as needed for school.

Do You Need Both?

Although a sports physical is generally necessary before joining a team, it does not replace a full well-child check-up. Sports physicals examine short-term readiness for sport, but school physicals evaluate your child's overall well-being and long-term development.

If you're unsure what kind of physical your child requires—or if they can be done together—we're here at Leitchfield Pediatrics to help direct you.

Schedule Your Child's Test Today

Whatever your child's reason for returning to school, be it the start of the school year or the upcoming sporting events, the physicians at Leitchfield Pediatrics in Leitchfield, KY, will be your child's health champion. Contact them today at (270) 259-5641 and schedule your child's school and sporting physical so they're set up for success.