A young man getting his leg looked at by a specialist.

A brand new school year is starting once again! If your child has been on a sports team before, you already know what to expect. But if it’s their first time getting a sports physical, it’s natural to want to learn more about the process. In addition, it also helps to know where to find physicals in Topeka. The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Urgent Care provides fast and convenient school physicals in Topeka to help kids meet their requirements. So, if you’d like to know more about what’s involved in a sports physical, or if you aren’t sure where you should go to get one, we’re here to help. Learn why The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Urgent Care is the place to go when you need to schedule a school physical. And find out why these exams are especially important for safeguarding students who participate in competitive sports.

Why Do School Physicals Matter for Topeka Students?

For many kids, school sports provide an opportunity to develop and hone their physical skills while also learning how to be part of a team. Cooperation, tenacity, and self-discipline — these are all traits that can serve young people well as they enter college and the business world. And they are also traits that students can gain and grow by playing on a team against other athletes. 

But, with all of the excellent benefits competitive sports can provide for students, there are also some risks. For example, if a student has asthma issues, vigorous physical activity can aggravate that condition. And, if a student has an asthma attack in the middle of the game, it can put them at risk of further injury. This is why it’s important to have a health professional examine students to check for health issues that could affect their ability to compete. School physicals help safeguard Topeka students from harm. And, if they pass their physicals, they can be cleared to play.

What’s Involved in a School Physical?

The Kansas State High School Activities Association provides a downloadable Pre-participation Physical Evaluation on its website. This form contains a checklist of requirements for students/parents, healthcare providers, and school administrators. 

The school physicals are essentially divided into two portions. First, there’s a portion that includes questions about the student’s health history. The questions are intended to ensure that prior health concerns or underlying conditions won’t impact the student’s ability to play. 

An example would be a question asking whether the student had recently been hospitalized or whether the student has received any concussions. It’s important to be forthcoming with this information since it’s used to give the healthcare provider an accurate picture of the student’s health and physical capabilities. The other portion of the physical involves a physical examination of the student to ensure that there are no injuries, illnesses, or abnormalities that could put them at risk.

Where to Find School Physicals in Topeka

The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Urgent Care provides speedy and convenient school physicals in Topeka. If you are in the process of preparing your child for the coming athletic season, check-in online. Choose from our Lake Shawnee, Brewster, or 29th and Gage locations to get quality healthcare services close to home. Walk-ins are welcome, so if you’re in the area, be sure to stop in for quick and affordable care you can rely on.