Is your child ready to go to the doctor? It may be time for their annual wellness check-up, or you may have to schedule their regular sports physicals in Brighton, CO. The Premier Pediatrics staff have experience in those types of physical exams. However, it may be confusing for some parents and kids regarding how these physical check-ups differ. Both are important but take place for different reasons.

Differences Between Routine Check-Ups AND Sports Physicals in Brighton, CO?

When your child sees a doctor, they will receive a thorough physical exam and sometimes some screenings. Both sports physicals and routine check-ups provide these exams and screenings. However, the purposes differ. A routine check-up should happen annually, and the doctor checks the child from head to toe by measuring vital signs, weight, height, behavior testing, emotional evaluation, development milestones, and more. However, a sports physical's main purpose is to ensure your child can be physically and emotionally qualified to play for a local school team.

Different sports have different physical requirements children must meet. These requirements may include weight and height limitations, as well as strong respiratory systems and heart rates. A routine wellness check-up is annual and can be scheduled at the parent's discretion, whereas sports physicals must happen within a certain time frame to qualify for a school team. Some school districts may require a sports physical only once a year before the season starts. However, if your child plays multiple sports, they may need a new sports physical before the start of each new season within the same school year.

Why Both Exams Are Important

Wellness and sports physicals in Brighton, CO, are equally important. Both exams provide the opportunity to ensure your child is healthy and thriving. They can both check for underlying conditions that need monitoring or intervention. Even if your child doesn't qualify for a sports team, you may be alerted to a heart condition or other problem that may not have appeared at the previous wellness exam.

Thanks to caring pediatricians, you always have several ways to monitor and test your child's health. If you have an athletic child interested in being on a sports team, the Premier Pediatrics staff handles sports physicals in Brighton, CO. To schedule in time for an upcoming school sports season, call 303-655-1685 today.