It's almost time for the whistle to blow and the season to start. Whether your child's heading into soccer, football, field hockey, or track, we know you're busy getting the right gear and checking practice schedules.
But there's one piece of equipment that's more important than a new pair of cleats: the sports physical.
At Premium Healthcare, a Monarch Concierge MD service in Wilmington, Delaware, we don't treat these exams as just a form to sign. We call this the pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE). It's a vital tool that helps us make sure your athlete's body is ready for the specific demands of their sport.
Our goal isn't to bench players, but to find ways they can play as safely as possible.
A sports physical is most effective when it happens in a medical home rather than a crowded school gym or a quick-care clinic.
When our founding board-certified internist, Stuart Felzer, MD, FACP, performs these exams, he’s looking at your child's full medical history, past injuries, and even family health patterns that a stranger might miss.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends scheduling these visits at least six weeks before the season begins. This window is crucial because it gives us enough time to follow up on any red flags.
If we need to check a heart murmur or help an athlete recover from a lingering ankle strain, we have the time to do it so they don't miss the opening game.
Staying healthy on the field involves a combination of medical clearance, proper rest, and consistent recovery habits. Here's how you can help your athlete stay in the game and out of the doctor's office.
We check everything from joint stability to heart health. Since a medical history form can catch up to 88% of underlying conditions, we take the time to review every detail with you and your teen.
Rest is a performance enhancer. Adolescent athletes who get less than eight hours of sleep are 1.7 times more likely to suffer a significant injury. Sleep is when the body repairs tissue and the brain solidifies new skills.
Overtraining is a leading cause of burnout and stress fractures. We recommend at least a day or two off from structured sports every week to let the body recover from repetitive strain.
We believe preventive care is the foundation of a great athletic career. By looking at the whole athlete — including their mental health and nutrition — we help them build resilience that lasts long after the final buzzer.
We're here to answer your questions and provide the direct communication you won't find at a traditional practice.
Don't wait until the week of tryouts to think about your child's health. Getting ahead of the game now means a safer, stronger season for your student-athlete. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive sports physical with Dr. Felzer and our team.
