When your child begins school or wants to play a sport it’s important to make sure your child is healthy. One of the best ways to do this is to schedule a school or sports physical. Pediatric Specialists of Pendleton provides comprehensive medical services for children, including school and sports physicals.
How School and Sports Physicals Help Your Child
School and sports physicals can help identify potential medical issues early so they can be treated timely
School and sports physicals can help identify potential physical problems which can help prevent injuries
School and sports physicals can screen for behavioral problems and developmental delays so they can be monitored and treated
During a routine physical, your provider will:
Record general information including your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
Perform a comprehensive physical examination including extremities, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Perform a vision screening
Perform behavioral and developmental screenings as appropriate
Perform age-appropriate screenings for depression or alcohol/drug abuse
Order laboratory testing and/or imaging studies if necessary
During a sports physical, your provider may also evaluate your child’s:
Muscle strength
Breathing
Flexibility
Balance
Reflexes
School and sports physicals offer an excellent opportunity to make sure your child is current on immunizations. These are the current required immunizations from birth to age 18, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Hepatitis B
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP or TDaP)
Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
Polio
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Chickenpox (varicella)
Hepatitis A
Other recommended vaccines are:
Rotavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Meningococcal conjugate
Pneumococcal conjugate
Flu
COVID
To find out more about the importance of school and sports physicals, call Pediatric Specialists of Pendleton at (541) 276-0250.