Eight highly experienced and skilled board-certified pediatric doctors see young patients daily at the Arkansas Pediatric Clinic. While this pediatric practice provides many services, one that the public isn’t informed about is the difference between school and sports physicals in Bryant and Little Rock, AR.
Parents often wonder the difference between a school and a sports physical.
We’re here to help you understand the importance of both types of physicals and explain the differences between both physical exams.
The Differences Between School and Sports Physicals
A School Physical
A school physical assures you that your child is physically and mentally able to meet the everyday demands of school life while protecting them from serious, life-threatening diseases.
Your pediatrician in Bryant and Little Rock, AR, says it is best to talk to your child about their upcoming school and sports physical examination.
- Ensures preventative screening; our doctor may talk about sex, smoking, alcohol, and drug use to decrease certain health risks.
- Our doctor explores preventable illnesses, diseases, and mental and behavioral disorders.
- We can do blood, skin, and urine testing.
- We take blood pressure, height, and weight, listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds, test vision and hearing, and examine eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and throat.
- We review vaccination schedules and make sure your child is up-to-date on all vaccinations.
- We gather family medical history, genetic illnesses, and diseases.
- We assess posture, strength, and body flexibility.
Sports Physical
Schools require a sports physical to ensure kids have no conditions that could worsen during physical activity.
- This exam helps the school prepare for your child’s medical problems by ensuring that necessary medicine is available while your child plays sports, such as for asthma, allergies, seizures, and more.
- We can do blood, skin, and urine testing.
- Take blood pressure, height, and weight; listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds; test vision and hearing; and examine eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and throat.
- We screen for behaviors like depression, social anxiety, uncontrolled anger, negative emotions, sadness, ADHD, and substance abuse, depending on the child’s age.
- Review and update vaccinations.
- Assess fitness levels.
- Identify and meet special health needs.
Contact Us Today
We look forward to meeting you and your children and hope you will become part of our pediatric family. At the Arkansas Pediatric Clinic, we are committed to providing a level of child health care that exceeds expectations, from birth to young adulthood, ensuring your peace of mind and your child’s well-being.
We have 4 offices in Bryant and Little Rock, AR:
- 2 offices in Little Rock (APC Midtown and APC West)
- 1 office in North Little Rock (APC Maumelle)
- 1 office in Bryant (APC Bryant)
If you are seeking experienced pediatric doctors for your children, call any of our esteemed doctors to schedule your child’s initial consultation or school and sports physical examination at (501) 664-4117.