The Louisiana High School Athletic Association requires student-athletes to complete an annual physical exam and family medical history evaluation before they can participate in a sport.
The state governing body for high school sports requires these annual evaluations, which include a questionnaire about personal and family medical history, and a physical exam.
In Louisiana, healthcare professionals use a standardized form from the LHSAA. The form must be completed and signed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and kept on file at the student’s school.
The medical history evaluation seeks to identify hereditary conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes or sudden death, while questions about the student’s own medical and orthopedic history reveal previous injuries or conditions.
The second part of the evaluation is the physical exam, in which the healthcare provider checks and measures height and weight, blood pressure and pulse and heart and lungs.
You can schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or family practitioner for a sports physical.
Remember: these annual required physicals are no replacement for routine check-ups with your child’s doctor. It’s important that your child see their doctor regularly to ensure they’re hitting developmental milestones and staying healthy as they continue to grow.
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