Annual, Sports and Camp Physicals

Scheduling your child’s yearly physical is the best way to take a proactive approach to their health. During a physical or routine well visit, our pediatricians have the opportunity to monitor your child’s growth and development over the years.

By staying up-to-date with your child’s physicals, you’ll be able to keep up with their vaccinations during their younger years, and can oversee any problematic health issues as they get older.

Our practice provides sports evaluation during the annual physical exam visit, proving clearance for sports and camp participation for the upcoming year.

Physicals Offered in Centennial and Castle Rock, CO

Annual Physicals

During an annual physical, your child’s pediatrician will have an opportunity to examine year-over-year changes and progress.

The younger years are more heavily focused on developmental progress and vaccinations, while adolescent years tend to be more focused on psychological and physical changes.

This exam for teens gives them a chance to ask any questions relating to adolescent issues such as drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity, and depression.

What is Measured During an Annual Physical?

Most routine school physicals will examine several factors to determine a child’s current state of health, such as:

• Height
• Weight
• Vision
• Hearing
• Blood pressure
• General functionality of the eyes, nose, ears, and throat
• Lymph nodes
• Muscle development
• Reflexes
• Heart rate
• Potential problems within the abdomen, joints, or spine

Your pediatrician is also likely to take a few moments during a school physical to review the patient’s medical history, including their past immunizations.

Sports Physicals

Sports physicals are largely required by athletic leagues and schools. This is completed as part of the routine annual physical appointment. During this exam, the pediatrician will check your child’s vitals, joints, flexibility, and vision. This gives them an opportunity to flag down any issues that may cause injury during the season. Sports physicals should be completed at least several weeks prior to the start of the upcoming sports season, giving the child ample time to correct any issues before the season.

Camp Physicals

Also commonly referred to as a pre-participation physical, a camp physical ensures that your child can safely participate in activities. This is completed as part of the routine annual physical appointment. A physical may not always be required prior to your child going off to camp, but it’s still a great way to stay on top of their health.

How Often Does My Child Need a Physical Exam

• For Infants (less than 1 year old): We see all infants at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. Please refer to our Immunization Schedule for more information.
• For Toddlers (1-3 years old): Your toddler needs a physical at 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2 1/2 years, and 3 years old. Please refer to our Immunization Schedule for more information.
• For Ages 3 and Up: A physical is recommended yearly after age 3. It is required for all patients who need camp/school/sports forms signed and patients taking ongoing prescription medications.

Whether it’s for school, sports, or camp, physical exams play a vital role in monitoring your child’s health, growth, and development. To schedule your child’s physical with one of our pediatricians, please call Pediatrics 5280 at (303) 779-5437.