SHARE THIS
It may still be winter, but it’s important to schedule your child’s physical now for spring interscholastic sports. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) requires all athletes playing a spring sport through their school to have a physical exam and/or certification submitted before the first practice or tryout.
The State College Area School District is requiring all sports physicals to be turned in on March 1st to participate in spring sports.
Most schools have the PIAA form available on their website, and some schools require you to complete parts of the form online. Student-athletes should bring this form with them to their appointment and have the health history form completed.
During the exam, the provider will:
- Measure height and weight and calculate Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Take blood pressure and pulse
- Perform vision and hearing tests if desired
- Check heart, lungs, abdomen, ear, nose, and throat
- Check posture, joints, strength, and flexibility
- Review immunizations
Additionally, providers screen for chronic conditions and family history. Social and personal behaviors that are common and sometimes risky during adolescence are also discussed. At the end of the visit, your provider will share their findings and recommendations with the patient and their parent or guardian.
If your provider has concerns about your child playing a sport, you may be asked to follow up with a specialist to be cleared for participation. We will do everything to have your child cleared before the deadline to turn in their PIAA form. Schedule your child's sports exam early if possible. Mount Nittany Health providers have 10 business days to complete the form.
To schedule your child’s fall sports physical with Mount Nittany Health Pediatrics, please call our Bellefonte office at 814.355.3626 or our Boalsburg office at 814.466.7921.
