Preparticipation Physical Evaluations & Exams (Sports Physicals)

With the spring sports season beginning, here are fifteen ways sports parents can help their young athlete be safe and injury-free.

The PPE Campaign and Coalition for Youth Sports Health and Safety will promote the widespread adoption and consistent use of an updated preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) form for U.S. student-athletes. The coalition counts as founding partners leading medical organizations, sports governing bodies and other groups, including MomsTeam.

Most experts agree that you should have your child undergo a thorough pre-participation physical evaluation or exam (PPE) every year. Not only can a PPE be an effective tool in identifying athletes who should not be playing sports because they have congenital heart defects or a history of concussions, but it is also useful in identifying medical problems effecting sports participation, such as asthma or the female athlete triad.

While the forms doctors fill out during an athlete's pre-participation physical evaluation or exam (PPE), here's what should be covered during
the medical history part of any sports physical.

A school or independent youth sports organization (YSO) should require a preparticipation physical exam or evaluation (PPE) before allowing a child to practice or play an organized sport. In most places, not just any PPE form will do. Most schools or sports programs specify the PPE form that has to be completed.

Most experts agree that you should have your child undergo a thorough preparticipation evaluation or sports physical (PPE) every year. Not only can a PPE be an effective tool in identifying athletes who should not be playing sports because they have congenital heart defects or a history of concussions, but it is also useful in identifying medical problems effecting sports participation, such as asthma or the female athlete triad.

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