Your guide to sports and school physicals

Summer is a time to plan for your child’s health needs, and often a time where many parents ask about the difference between types of physicals. Understanding sports physicals, school physicals and where to get them helps you handle PIAA sports physical requirements and prepare for back-to-school without the August rush.

Dr. Kristie Kaufman, a pediatrician at Mount Nittany Health, shares key tips for parents to help get children ready for school and sports.

School physical vs. wellness exam

Parents often confuse annual wellness visits with specialized physical requirements. Your child’s regular yearly physical looks at overall health and growth. These comprehensive exams monitor your child’s health throughout the year and address ongoing concerns.

“There’s definitely some overlap, but they each serve a unique purpose,” explains Dr. Kaufman. “A wellness check is a comprehensive visit focused on your child’s overall health and development — things like growth charts, vaccinations, mental health and chronic condition management.”

Sports physicals are a bit different. Healthcare providers conduct pre-participation physical exams to evaluate your child’s fitness for athletic activities. “A sports physical is more targeted,” she continues. “It focuses on musculoskeletal health, past injuries, joint stability and heart health, looking at anything that might affect safe participation in sports.”

School physicals meet Pennsylvania’s specific requirements for students entering certain grades. “A school physical typically satisfies the state’s required health screening for children entering kindergarten, sixth and eleventh grade,” says Dr. Kaufman.  “It ensures they’re up to date on immunizations and meeting developmental milestones.”

PIAA sports physical requirements you need to know

Every student athlete in Pennsylvania must complete the PIAA sports physical requirements before participating in school athletics. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association establishes these standards to protect young athletes during physical activities.

Your child needs a new sports physical each school year, regardless of when their last physical exam was. The evaluation must occur within one year of sports participation. Additionally, any student recovering from a serious injury needs medical clearance before returning to athletics.

Licensed healthcare providers must complete official PIAA forms during the exam. These forms document your child’s health status and confirm their readiness for athletic participation. Coaches and athletic trainers rely on this documentation to make informed decisions about student safety.

PIAA requirements include specific heart screening to detect heart conditions that could pose risks during intense physical activity. Providers also check previous injuries and evaluate joint stability. They review your child’s medical history for conditions that might affect athletic performance.

Where to get physicals

Mount Nittany Health offers multiple convenient ways to complete your child’s physical requirements.

• Scheduled appointments: You can schedule appointments with pediatrics or primary care. This allows you to schedule with your child’s regular healthcare provider.
• Walk-in: ExpressCARE offers seven-day availability from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. This option provides quick and efficient service with same-day completion of the required forms.

Both provide options for you to get school and sports physicals at a time that works for your family’s schedule.

Timing for back-to-school physicals

Planning helps prevent stress and scheduling conflicts that can happen when you wait until later in the summer. Healthcare providers recommend completing back-to-school physicals during early summer when appointment availability is higher.

“One of the biggest mistakes we see is waiting until the last minute,” shares Dr. Kaufman. “August is always busy, and appointment slots fill up quickly. We recommend scheduling in early summer to avoid delays.”

Schedule sports physicals at least six weeks before your child’s sports season begins. This timeline allows for follow-up appointments if providers discover any health issues that need attention. Early scheduling also allows families time to address equipment needs or make necessary training modifications.

Students entering required grade levels should complete school physicals by mid-summer. Completing these early ensures all paperwork reaches schools before registration deadlines.

Preparing for your child’s physical appointment

Good preparation makes appointments efficient and thorough. Bring insurance cards, completed health history forms, medication lists, vaccination records and any questions about your child’s health. Write down recent injuries, illnesses or health changes since the last visit.

The good news is, only one physical is needed each year. “If your child has already had their physical, we are able to sign the sports form after May 1, per PIAA rules,” says Dr. Kaufman. “The only exception would be if there is an interval concussion or injury that occurred after the initial physical.”

Mount Nittany Health’s experienced healthcare providers work efficiently to complete required evaluations while addressing any health concerns that arise during the exam.

Beat the back-to-school rush — schedule your child’s sports and school physicals today. To schedule a school or sports physical, parents can contact their child’s primary care physician or visit Mount Nittany Health ExpressCARE.