Your child knows that sports are a fun way to socialize and meet people. In Iowa, a sports physical is required for your child to play in junior high and high school organized activities. A sports physical helps determine if it's safe for your child to participate in a particular sport.
Harriet Echternacht, MD, family medicine physician and medical director of UI QuickCare with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about sports physicals:
What is a sports physical?
It is a basic physical exam to be sure that there isn't a worrisome history of sports-related events and to be sure there aren't any signs of heart disease or other problems that would cause problems while they're playing sports.
What are doctors looking for in these physicals with young athletics?
Several things are important.
- Any signs of heart disease such as light-headed episodes, passing out or if the provider hears a murmur on the physical exam, these are all things that should be investigated
- A family history is very important to get regarding anyone who has had a sudden death with sports or a heart attack
- Review for asthma-related problems
- Review the joints for instability or pain
- Menstrual irregularities can be a problem regarding sports
A general physical is done to confirm what the history has told us.
Typically how much time is spent with each aspiring athlete?
About 15 minutes. This is not a lot of time; so we encourage kids to still see their primary care doctor for immunizations, counseling, and preventive guidance in the teen years. That's very important, also.
Can parents take their child to any of the UI QuickCare walk-in clinics for this physical ?
Yes.
Does UI QuickCare take appointments, or are they strictly walk-in clinics?
They are walk-in appointments. The physicals last about 15 minutes so usually it's not a long wait, things go pretty quickly.
Where are UI QuickCare Clinics located?
We have three sites:
Old Capital Town Center.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. daily
UI Family Care--North Liberty
3 Lion's Drive
Hours: Monday through Friday 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to noon
UI Family Care--Southeast Iowa City
11 30 Scott Boulevard
Hours: Monday through Friday 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to noon
What hours are the walk-in clinics open for parents who want to take their child in for sports physical?
Old Capital Town Center
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
North Liberty and Southeast Iowa City
5: to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon
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