Some children and even parents don't truly understand the need for a sports physical. They may go through the motions of getting the procedure only because that's the only way they will be able to play their sport of choice. However, it's important that people realize just how vital a sports physical is and why it's so necessary for it to be mandatory.
One of main reasons that this particular procedure is so beneficial is because it allows medical professionals to check for preexisting medical conditions that could cause serious issues while a child is participating in their favorite sport. Some children may seem healthy on the outside, but it can be a totally different story internally.
Just imagine a child who played basketball without getting evaluated. Everything seemed fine and he excelled on the team and became the go to player. He began scoring more than 20 points per game, leading his team to multiple victories. College recruiters even began noticing him and he became the talk around town. He was in great physical condition externally. Although he was just 17, he had the body of a 21 or 22 year old.
Everything seemed to be going well, until the night of his team's first playoff game. Before the game, he complained of a slight pain in his chest. He brushed it off, until it became more persistent. He went to his coach and told him about the condition and the coach suggested that he sit out the first quarter of the game, to see if things got better. So, with some hesitancy he did just that.
At the end of the first quarter, his team was down by 12 points. Although he still felt a slight pain in his chest, his overwhelming desire to win took over and he decided to tell the coach he was ready to play. He went out on the court and the crowd cheered him on. As he ran down the court to run a defensive play, he found it difficult to breath. After a few steps, he suddenly collapsed to the floor.
He was rushed to the hospital and the doctors found that there were issues with his heart. Because he never had a sports physical, the issue wasn't detected early on. Playing through the pain caused him to put extra stress on his heart, which caused irreparable damage.
Too often this tale becomes a reality for young adults and children who do not receive the attention they need prior to participating in athletics. A sports physical is more important than some people may think. Don't hesitate or go through the motions when being examined. Having a proper evaluation could save you or your child's life.
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