What Other Parents Are Reading You know that playing sports
helps keep kids fit and are a fun way for them to socialize and
make friends. But you might not know why the physical kids may
have to take at the beginning of their sports season is so
important. About Sports Physicals In the sports medicine field,
the sports physical exam — or preparticipation physical
examination (PPE) — helps determine whether it's safe for kids
to participate in a particular sport. Most states actually
require that kids and teens have a sports physical before they
can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season. But
even if a PPE isn't required, doctors still highly recommend
getting one. The two main parts to a sports physical are the
medical history and the physical exam. This part of the exam
includes questions about: - serious illnesses among family
members - illnesses that kids had when they were younger or may
have now, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy - previous
hospitalizations or surgeries - allergies (to i