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by: Dr. Brent Nickischer
Schools have begun to require sports physicals – also known as pre-participation exams or PPEs – in order to help reduce the risks sports can pose to children. The federal government has even contemplated a national law requiring PPEs, and many states have already put such laws in place.
Children need exercise, and school sports are a popular choice for kids who also want to spend more time with friends and classmates. During their school years, it’s more than likely that your child will need a PPE at some point. And you might be surprised to learn that your child might require more than one PPE. If your son or daughter changes sports they may have to go through the exam all over again.
My son is going out for football. Why would he need another exam? He just had a PPE for wrestling!
Football and wrestling are two very different sports. For participation in wrestling, the doctor will focus on specific risks associated with the sport. For example, is the child at risk for bone or spinal injuries? Wrestling can be hard on the joints and back. With a son who is trying out for a wide receiver position in football, the doctor would undoubtedly focus on cardiovascular risks.
One of the priorities of the PPE is to identify children who are susceptible to heart problems such as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in which the heart muscle thickens and makes it work harder. Cardiac problems – and HCM in particular – are the main cause of death amongst young athletes.
Do I need to be there for my daughter’s PPE?
A parent should be present to provide the doctor a complete family medical history. Doctors are looking for any hereditary risks, so being present as an information resource is a must. You’ll also have to sign privacy (HIPAA) forms for your child, as well as a waiver to allow the results to be shared with the school. The waiver should only be required once during their enrollment, but the HIPAA forms are usually required at each visit.
Does the PPE help reduce health risks to kids?
They sure do, especially with kids who had previously undiagnosed congenital heart defects that pose a serious risk. And even though less than 1% of children are excluded from a sport based on the PPE results, it helps parents better understand their children’s general health and limitations.
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