The signs of spring are popping up.
Baseball and softball sign-ups have already started, and soon teams will begin practicing.
A successful sports season may not hinge on winning and losing, but on your child’s health.
Ashtabula County Medical Center Pediatrician Sathish Adigopula, MD, said parents should get a physical for their child – especially if this is the child’s first year to participate in team sports. In addition, school sports teams require a physician’s approval to show that a child is healthy enough to play.
Summer sports leagues are moving in that direction, too.
“Organized sports such as baseball or softball are a great way for children to stay physically active, and learn traits they will need as adults. They learn to work as a team, to follow leadership, and how to emotionally handle winning and losing,” Dr. Adigopula said.
However, if a child is overweight, or has an illness or injury, what starts as a season of fun can turn into a negative experience.
“It is good to get a physical, even before your child signs up to play. If your child has an injury, we don’t want to make it worse during practice or a game. We also assess your child’s fitness level for the sport to be played. If there is an injury or illness, or a general fitness concern, we will give you treatment or rehabilitation options,” Dr. Adigopula said.
These fitness concerns include:
- Being overweight or obese or heart problems
- Having diabetes
- Breathing problems due to allergy or other respiratory ailment
- Age-appropriate growth and development
- Allergies
Your child’s physician may recommend a change in diet and exercise to control weight, or to develop muscle strength and endurance. Dr. Adigopula said parents can expect a physician to review their child’s medical history as well as perform a physical exam to determine the athlete’s general health, fitness level, evaluate existing injuries, detect conditions predisposing to new injury and assess pre-participation conditioning.
The physical should include:
- Measurement of height and weight
- Vision and hearing tests
- Checks of blood pressure and pulse rate
- An examination of the head, ears, nose, throat, abdomen, joints, muscles, ligaments and bones.
- Listening to the heart and lungs
“Even if your child has been active in sports for years, a physical at the start of the new season is beneficial. If there is a past injury, it should be examined to ensure it is healing properly. Children are very resilient, but we want to ensure their good health now, so they can grow into healthy adults,” Dr. Adigopula said.
Dr. Adigopula is accepting new patients, and can perform a sports physical for your child. To schedule an appointment, phone 440-997-6980.
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