Play hard, stay safe
Team sports are a wonderful way for kids to make friends and stay active. And when it comes to your family’s health, you won’t catch us on the sidelines. In addition to your child’s annual checkup, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) covers one annual sports physical per child ages 6 through 18.
This service is covered at no extra cost to you.
Why get a sports physical?
A sports physical assesses whether your child can play their sport safely, or whether they have any conditions that should be monitored through the season. (In rare cases, your child’s doctor may recommend that they avoid certain sports and activities.) It’s one piece of your child’s bigger health picture.
Getting ready for your child’s sports physical
Washington state requires that kids in grades 6 and up get a sports physical before they start a new sport or season. It’s a good idea to schedule the physical 3 to 4 weeks before their season begins.
Contact your child’s doctor to schedule their sports physical. When you go to the appointment, be prepared to answer questions about your family’s medical history and your child’s health.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
During the physical part of the exam, the doctor will usually:
- Record your child’s height and weight
- Take blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm)
- Test your child’s vision
- Check heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat
- Evaluate your child’s posture, joints, strength, and flexibility
