Sports Physicals: What to Expect and Why They Matter

So your kid wants to play soccer, basketball, football, or track this season. Awesome. But before they can hit the field, there is one box every school district in New Mexico requires them to check: the sports physical. Officially called a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), it is the quick health screening that makes sure a young athlete is safe to compete.

If you are a parent wondering what the visit actually involves, or a student athlete who is a little nervous about the whole thing, this guide breaks it all down in plain English.

What Exactly Is a Sports Physical?

A sports physical is a focused medical visit designed to evaluate whether a student is physically ready to participate in organized sports. It is not the same as an annual wellness checkup (though you can absolutely do both at the same appointment). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that every young athlete complete a PPE before each sport season, ideally at least six weeks before the season starts. That lead time matters because if the doctor finds something that needs follow-up, there is enough time to address it without missing tryouts.

The PPE has two main parts: the medical history review and the physical examination.

Part 1: The Medical History Review

This is actually the most important part of the visit, and it happens before anyone picks up a stethoscope. According to the AAP's Preparticipation Physical Evaluation monograph, the medical history catches a significant majority of conditions that could put an athlete at risk. You will fill out a questionnaire that covers:

• Past injuries — broken bones, concussions, sprains, surgeries
• Family history — especially heart-related events (sudden cardiac death, heart murmurs, or anyone in the family who passed away unexpectedly before age 50)
• Current medications and allergies
• Symptoms during exercise — chest pain, dizziness, fainting, unusual shortness of breath, or a racing heartbeat
• History of heat-related illness or asthma

Be honest on this form. It is not a test you can fail. The doctor needs accurate information to keep your athlete safe. If your child had a concussion playing pickup basketball last summer, that is something the provider needs to know about.

Part 2: The Physical Examination

The hands-on portion is straightforward and usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Here is what the doctor will check:

• Vital signs — height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and vision screening
• Heart and lungs — listening with a stethoscope for irregular rhythms, murmurs, or breathing issues. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) identifies cardiovascular screening as one of the most critical components of the PPE because undetected heart conditions are a leading cause of sudden cardiac events in young athletes.
• Musculoskeletal exam — checking joints, bones, flexibility, and strength. The doctor will ask your athlete to do things like duck-walk, touch their toes, and move their arms and legs through a range of motion. This is where old injuries get re-evaluated.
• Abdomen — checking for an enlarged spleen or liver, which could be dangerous in contact sports
• Skin — looking for rashes or infections like ringworm or impetigo that could spread to teammates
• General neurological check — reflexes, balance, and coordination

For male athletes, the exam may include a hernia check. It is quick, it is routine, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about.

How to Prepare for the Visit

A little preparation makes the appointment go smoothly and helps the doctor give the most accurate clearance.

1. Bring the school's form. Most New Mexico schools use the NMAA (New Mexico Activities Association) pre-participation form. Download it from your school's athletics page or pick one up from the front office. The form needs to be signed by a parent or guardian.
2. Bring a list of current medications, including inhalers, allergy meds, and any supplements.
3. Bring glasses or contacts if your athlete wears them. The vision screening is part of the exam.
4. Know your family medical history. Heart problems, sickle cell trait, and asthma in immediate family members are all relevant.
5. Wear comfortable clothes — shorts and a t-shirt work great for the musculoskeletal exam.
6. Schedule early. Do not wait until the week before tryouts. If the doctor needs additional tests (like an EKG or X-ray), you want time to get them done.

Common Myths About Sports Physicals

Let us clear up a few things we hear all the time.

Myth: "My kid is healthy, so we can skip it."
Many serious conditions, especially heart-related ones, have zero symptoms until something goes wrong during intense exercise. The whole point of the PPE is to catch what looks and feels perfectly normal on the surface. The AAP is clear: every athlete, every season, regardless of how healthy they seem.

Myth: "A sports physical replaces a regular checkup."
It does not. A sports physical is narrowly focused on athletic readiness. It does not include things like immunization updates, mental health screening, developmental milestones, or the other components of a comprehensive well-child visit. The AAP recommends both: an annual wellness exam and a sports physical when your child is playing organized sports.

Myth: "If I mention a past injury, my kid won't get cleared."
Disclosing a previous concussion or sprained ankle does not automatically disqualify anyone. In most cases, the doctor just wants to make sure it healed properly and that appropriate precautions are in place. Hiding an old injury is far more dangerous than reporting it.

Myth: "Any doctor visit counts as a sports physical."
Not quite. The PPE uses a specific evaluation protocol. A visit for strep throat or a flu shot does not include the musculoskeletal screening, cardiac history review, or the structured clearance that schools require. You need the actual PPE form completed and signed by a licensed provider.

Myth: "Sports physicals are only for high school athletes."
Many youth leagues, club sports, and middle school programs also require or strongly recommend them. Even if it is not required, the ACSM recommends pre-participation screening for any child entering organized competitive athletics.

What Happens After the Exam?

In most cases, the doctor signs the clearance form on the spot and your athlete is good to go. Sometimes the provider may request follow-up, such as:

• An EKG or echocardiogram if a heart murmur is detected
• An X-ray or MRI for an old injury that did not heal properly
• Referral to a specialist for conditions that need closer evaluation
• Clearance with restrictions — for example, cleared for swimming but not football until a shoulder heals

A follow-up request is not a red flag. It means the doctor is doing their job and looking out for your child's long-term health.

Get Your Sports Physical at Covenant Clinic

At Covenant Clinic in Las Cruces, we make sports physicals easy and convenient. We are open 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM, so you can fit the appointment around practice schedules, school, and work. No need to wait weeks for an opening. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can save your spot online to minimize your wait time.

Our providers see athletes of all ages and are experienced with the NMAA forms and requirements. We will make sure your student athlete is cleared, confident, and ready to compete.

Ready to get your athlete cleared for the season? Book an appointment online or call us at 575-556-0200. You can also walk in any day of the week — we are here when you need us.