Injury Mechanisms and Types of Injuries
Modalities
Sports Related Illnesses, Diseases, and Disorders
The Healing Process
The Injury Assessment Process
The Importance of Physicals
The Injury Process
The Rehabilitation Program
Medical Team |
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICALS
Pre-Participation Exams (Physicals)
Physicals should be given every year to participating athletes. The forces and stresses encountered by athletes can cause harm, even death. The pre-participation exam is given to find underlying conditions that may not be able to withstand the stresses of sport. Physicals are very important and should be taken seriously by doctors, parents, and athletes. Any doctor can sign off on a physical. It is recommended that athletes see a sports medicine doctor for a physical before each season. Sports medicine doctors are up to date on problems suffered by athletes, where as other doctors may not be. If all doctors took physicals seriously, then we could potentially reduce a lot of sport injuries and illnesses.
The following are a few things physicians should do during a physical:
- They should ask if the athlete has a history of asthma or other pulmonary problems. If yes, you should be counseled on asthma in athletics.
- They should listen to the heart very carefully for any abnormalities. Sudden death in athletes is usually related to underlying heart conditions. Yes, happy fit athletes die every year because of underlying heart conditions.
- The doctor should stress the major joints and check for joint laxity. He/she should then recommend that joint to be taped or braced in order to prevent injury.
- The doctor should look for any orthopedic abnormalities like leg length discrepancy (one leg is slightly shorter than the other).
- The doctor should look for weight problems and counsel (or refer the athlete to a sports nutritionist) the athlete on how to eat right.
- The doctor should examine pre-existing injuries or surgeries to make sure tissues have healed properly and to be sure that the forces exerted in sport will not harm the tissues that were operated on.
- The doctor should look for any other problems that may cause harm to an athlete while that athlete is under going the stresses of sport.
- The doctor should interview the athlete to determine if there are any psychological issues that may have a negative affect on the athlete such as fear and anxiety.
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