Each year, your child should get a well-child checkup to help stay on top of their health and development. However, if your child plays a sport, they will also need a sports physical. While they may seem like the same type of office visit, there are differences between a well-child checkup and a sports physical – so it’s important to get both.

What is a well-child checkup?

A well-child checkup, also known as an annual exam or yearly physical, is a type of checkup for children under the age of 18. These checkups look at many different areas of a child’s health, including physical, mental and emotional wellness, as well as their development.

Some things that happen at a well-child checkup include:

• Growth measurements: Your child’s provider will get your child’s weight and measure their height.
• Development check: The provider will ask questions to see if your child is meeting developmental milestones like walking, talking and social-emotional development.
• Immunizations: Your child should get the recommended vaccines to help prevent disease. Depending on their age, these vaccines can include chickenpox, hepatitis A and DTap (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis).
• Vision and hearing screening: Your child’s provider will check your child’s vision and hearing to make sure they can see and hear well.

Your child should get a well-child checkup every year. Depending on how old they are, they may need extra checkups throughout the year.

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is needed if your child is going to play a sport. School and other sports teams often require this physical before your child can officially join the team. Sports physicals help to make sure your child is healthy enough to play.

During a sports physical, you can expect your child’s provider to:

• Look at medical history: This helps providers to understand past illnesses, surgeries and family health issues that may cause issues with playing.
• Perform a physical exam: The provider will check your child’s heart, lungs, joints and muscles to ensure everything looks and sounds healthy.
• Complete a fitness check: Your child may be asked to show their strength, flexibility and endurance.

Sports physicals are not a required checkup for children who are not playing a sport. These exams are often only needed once a year and only if your child is signing up to be on a sports team through school or a community organization.

So, what’s the difference?

While they may seem like they are the same, there are differences between well-child checkups and sports physicals.

• Purpose: A well-child checkup looks at overall health and growth and helps to make sure your child is meeting their milestones. A sports physical checks if your child can safely play sports.
• Frequency: Well-child checkups should be done every year, while sports physicals are only needed before each sports season and only if your child is playing a sport.
• Focus: Well-child checkups include shots, development milestones and additional health screenings. Sports physicals focus on fitness and preventing sports injuries.

Does my child need both a well-child checkup and sports physical?

Both checkups are important in keeping your child healthy. If your child plans to play a sport and has already had their well-child checkup for the year, they will still need to get their sports physical to make sure they are in good shape to play. Both visits to the provider look at different areas of your child’s health and, when both are completed, give a well-rounded picture of your child’s overall health.

Is your child looking to join a sports team? Make sure to schedule a sports physical with their medical provider today! If your child still has not gotten their annual well-child checkup, we encourage you to schedule that as well.