As a professional athlete it is important that you stay in good shape to be able to deliver 100%. This requires regular practice to gain the required skills and exercise to build the appropriate muscles. However, this should be done with much care to avoid hurting yourself.
Exerting yourself too much can result in injuries some of which are very serious and can end your career. To avoid this it is important that you take into consideration your current level of fitness and health conditions.
It is for this reason that undergoing a sports physical is of essence. It helps you determine whether it is safe for you to engage in that particular activity depending on the state of your body.
If I were you, I would have already started looking for $20 sports physicals near me to get an idea. With that said, here are a few things you should know.
What exactly is a sports physical?
This is a group of medical tests undertaken by athletes to determine if it is okay for them to participate in that sport based on their condition.
A lot of factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the decision. For instance, one can have well-developed muscles required for a particular activity but be unfit to engage in it due to underlying health problems such as weak joints.
This can be addressed by devising an effective exercise regime meant to strengthen the joints thus preventing any injury that could have occurred if the athlete proceeded to play with weak joints. It is meant to ensure that only those who are fit to perform are allowed to do so.
Where is it done?
The tests can be done at any sports clinic or health center with the relevant resources. In schools it can be done at the gym whereby a number of stations gets set up and the sportsmen go through each of them.
A different test is done at each station to finally come up with a comprehensive report. The tests range from simple evaluations such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels to more comprehensive ones like muscle strength and bone alignment.
You can also visit your doctor for physicals or follow-ups. This is recommended because they have your medical background information hence know your better than other health practitioners.
If you have a condition like asthma they are well placed to give you advice on how you can participate in the activity of your choice safely without any health complications. Follow this link to see a few benefits of sports and other physical activities https://www.sportsrec.com/346320-what-are-the-benefits-of-sport-physical-activities.html .
Is it necessary?
For professional athletes it is compulsory to undergo the examination. This is usually sponsored by the management of the club that they play for. For students this might vary. Some states require the students to undergo the test before engaging in such activities.
This can be sponsored by the school or the parents. Nonetheless, it is important that every athlete get examined. This should be done some time before the beginning of the season to give ample time for addressing any issues that may arise.
For example, if it is found out that the player has a weak core then the physician can recommend a series of exercises to help strengthen the core and get the athlete ready in good time. It would be disappointing to miss a chance to play due to something that could have been avoided.
The test not only ensures your safety on the field but it also enables you to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that you perform effectively. This can be the difference between losing and winning a game.
Identifying your weaknesses and working on improving them makes you better. That being said, if you are a parent you should ensure that your child gets examined even if it is not a compulsory requirement at school. Click here to read more.
Conclusion
It is good practice to get examined before engaging in any sports activity to ascertain your fitness. Failure to do so might turn out to be disastrous. A lot of injuries that occur due to such activities can be avoided. For instance, muscle injuries usually occur due to them being too tight or weak. The former can be avoided by simple stretching exercises and the latter can be prevented by doing strength and conditioning exercises. Knowledge of such information about oneself is vital.
