If a girl needs a sports physical before joining a school or youth sports team, the process is usually straightforward. She will typically complete a health-history questionnaire and meet with a healthcare professional for a physical examination. The clinician checks things such as blood pressure, vision, heart and lungs, muscles and joints, and overall health to determine whether she can safely participate in sports.
A sports physical is also called a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE). Its purpose is not simply to approve an athlete for competition. It gives a healthcare professional an opportunity to identify health issues that could affect participation, discuss injury prevention, and address concerns before the sports season begins. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends incorporating sports physicals into routine preventive care when possible.
What Happens During a Sports Physical?
A typical sports physical has two major parts: a health history and a physical examination.
Before the appointment, the athlete and parent or guardian may need to complete paperwork about the athlete’s medical history.
The healthcare professional may ask about:
- Previous injuries
- Concussions
- Surgeries
- Asthma or breathing problems
- Allergies
- Medications
- Heart symptoms
- Fainting or dizziness
- Chest pain during exercise
- Previous medical conditions
- Family history of serious heart problems
- Bone, muscle, or joint problems
- Mental health concerns
- Menstrual and nutrition-related concerns when appropriate
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends answering the history questions accurately and thoroughly, particularly questions involving the athlete’s heart and family history.
Does a Girl Have to Undress for a Sports Physical?
Usually, a girl does not need to completely undress for a standard sports physical.
The exact procedure can vary depending on the healthcare provider, the athlete’s medical history, and the reason for the examination. A typical sports physical focuses on areas such as the heart, lungs, blood pressure, vision, and musculoskeletal system.
Importantly, a routine genital examination is not recommended for female athletes as part of a standard preparticipation sports evaluation.
If a healthcare professional believes a specific examination is medically necessary because of a symptom or medical concern, they should explain why it is needed.
Girls and parents can also ask questions about any part of the examination that makes them uncomfortable or that they do not understand.
Does a Sports Physical Include a Pelvic Exam?
A standard sports physical does not normally include a pelvic exam.
This is an important distinction because some girls may worry that getting cleared for sports means having an intimate examination. For a routine preparticipation evaluation, a pelvic or genital examination is not generally part of the standard assessment for female athletes.
A healthcare professional may need to perform a different examination if the athlete has a specific medical complaint, but that would be separate from what is normally required for sports clearance.
What Do They Check on a Girl’s Heart?
Heart health is one of the most important parts of a sports physical.
The healthcare professional may ask whether the athlete has experienced symptoms such as:
- Chest pain during exercise
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Racing or irregular heartbeats
- Previous heart problems
The provider will also ask about certain family-history concerns, including premature serious heart conditions or sudden death.
During the physical examination, the clinician may measure blood pressure and listen to the heart for abnormal sounds. The purpose is to identify warning signs that could require additional evaluation before an athlete participates.
Most healthy athletes are ultimately cleared for sports, but identifying a potential problem early can allow the athlete to receive appropriate medical care.
Do Girls Have Their Blood Pressure Checked?
Yes.
Blood pressure is commonly measured during a sports physical. Elevated blood pressure is one of the abnormalities that can be identified during a preparticipation evaluation.
The athlete generally sits quietly while a cuff is placed around the upper arm. The measurement takes only a short time.
If the result is unusually high, the healthcare professional may decide that it needs to be checked again or evaluated further.
Do They Check a Girl’s Height and Weight?
Many sports physicals include basic measurements such as height and weight.
These measurements can help the healthcare professional understand general growth and health. However, sports physicals should not be treated as a judgment about whether an athlete has the “right” body for a particular sport.
For young female athletes, nutrition and adequate energy intake are important. Healthcare professionals may discuss eating patterns, menstrual health, and training when there are concerns about inadequate energy availability or other health issues. The AAP specifically identifies nutrition, menstrual health, and bone health as important considerations for female athletes.
Do Girls Get Their Eyes Tested?
Vision is commonly checked during a sports physical.
The healthcare professional may ask the athlete to read letters or symbols from a chart. If she normally wears glasses or contact lenses, she should bring them to the appointment.
Good vision is particularly important in sports where athletes need to track balls, opponents, teammates, or other objects moving at high speeds.
If a vision problem is discovered, the healthcare professional can recommend appropriate follow-up.
Do They Check Bones and Muscles?
Yes.
The musculoskeletal portion of a sports physical looks for problems involving muscles, bones, joints, and movement.
The healthcare professional may ask about previous injuries and whether the athlete currently has pain.
Depending on the athlete’s history, the examination may include movements that assess areas such as:
- Knees
- Ankles
- Hips
- Shoulders
- Back
- Arms
- Legs
A previous injury does not automatically prevent a girl from playing sports. Instead, the healthcare professional may determine whether she has recovered sufficiently or whether additional treatment or rehabilitation is needed.
The AAFP notes that musculoskeletal evaluation should focus particularly on previous injuries and current symptoms.
Do Girls Have to Talk About Their Period?
A healthcare professional may ask about menstrual health, particularly when relevant to the athlete’s overall health and training.
This does not mean every sports physical requires an extensive discussion about periods. However, menstrual history can provide useful information about nutrition, energy availability, bone health, and other aspects of an athlete’s health.
The AAP identifies menstrual health, nutrition, and bone health as important concerns for female athletes.
For example, significant changes in menstrual patterns can sometimes be a sign that an athlete is not getting enough energy for her level of training.
Girls should answer health questions honestly. The purpose is to help the healthcare professional understand the athlete’s health, not to embarrass her.
Can Girls Talk Privately With the Doctor?
Yes.
Adolescent athletes may have questions or concerns that they are uncomfortable discussing in front of a parent or guardian. Sports physicals can provide an opportunity to discuss sensitive health issues privately when appropriate.
The AAFP recommends that some areas of the health history, including mental health and other sensitive topics, may be discussed with the athlete alone to encourage honest answers.
Parents can remain supportive while also allowing their daughter appropriate privacy during medical care.
Do They Check for Mental Health Problems?
Mental health can be part of a modern sports physical.
The current approach to preparticipation evaluations recognizes that athletes can experience anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, and other mental-health concerns.
A sports physical can provide an opportunity for a healthcare professional to ask about emotional well-being and identify concerns that may need attention.
This is especially important because pressure from competition, school, teammates, coaches, and expectations can sometimes affect young athletes.
A girl should feel comfortable telling a healthcare professional if she is struggling emotionally.
Does a Sports Physical Include Blood Tests?
Usually, routine blood testing is not required for every healthy athlete.
The AAFP notes that U.S. medical and sports organizations discourage routine blood and urine testing in athletes who have no symptoms or specific medical concerns. Additional testing may be appropriate when the health history or examination identifies a reason to investigate something further.
For example, a healthcare professional might recommend additional testing if an athlete has symptoms, a relevant medical history, or another finding that needs investigation.
Does a Sports Physical Include an ECG?
Not necessarily.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, records the heart’s electrical activity. It is not automatically performed on every young athlete during a standard sports physical in the United States.
Whether additional heart testing is appropriate depends on the athlete’s symptoms, medical history, family history, physical examination, and applicable medical guidance.
If a girl reports concerning symptoms such as fainting during exercise or chest pain with exertion, the healthcare professional may recommend further evaluation.
What Should Girls Bring to a Sports Physical?
Before the appointment, it is useful to bring:
- The school’s or league’s sports physical form
- A list of medications
- Information about allergies
- Relevant medical records
- Information about previous injuries
- Details about previous surgeries
- Glasses or contact lenses, if used
- Information about current medical conditions
- Family medical history, especially serious heart conditions
The AAP recommends bringing any medical eligibility form supplied by the sport or organization.
Having accurate information available can make the appointment easier and more useful.
What Happens After the Physical?
After the examination, the healthcare professional may determine that the athlete is:
- Cleared without restrictions
- Cleared with certain recommendations or restrictions
- Not immediately cleared pending additional evaluation
Most healthy athletes are cleared to participate.
If a potential medical issue is discovered, that does not necessarily mean a girl can never play sports. She may simply need additional testing, treatment, rehabilitation, or a discussion about which activities are appropriate.
The goal of the evaluation is to maximize the athlete’s health and safe participation, not unnecessarily prevent girls from playing sports.
When Should a Girl Get a Sports Physical?
The timing depends on the school’s or sports organization’s requirements.
Many school athletic programs require a sports physical before participation and may require one periodically. Requirements differ by state, school, league, and organization.
From a medical-planning perspective, the AAP recommends scheduling the evaluation well before the sports season. It suggests making the appointment about six to eight weeks before the season when possible, giving time to address any problems that are discovered.
Waiting until the day before tryouts can create unnecessary problems if the athlete needs additional testing or paperwork.
What If a Girl Has an Injury?
She should tell the healthcare professional.
A sports physical is an appropriate time to discuss current pain and previous injuries. Hiding an injury because an athlete is worried about being kept out of a game can create a greater safety problem.
The healthcare professional can determine whether the athlete needs treatment, rehabilitation, additional evaluation, or temporary restrictions.
This is particularly important for previous concussions. The AAP notes that an athlete with a known or possible concussion should not return to exercise or sports until appropriately cleared by a healthcare professional.
What If a Girl Is Nervous About Her First Sports Physical?
Feeling nervous is normal, especially if it is the first time an athlete has had a sports physical.
The appointment is generally straightforward, and the healthcare professional’s job is to evaluate health and support safe participation.
A girl can make the appointment easier by:
- Completing the health-history form honestly.
- Writing down questions beforehand.
- Bringing her sports paperwork.
- Bringing information about medications and allergies.
- Mentioning any current pain or previous injuries.
- Asking the healthcare professional to explain anything she does not understand.
- Speaking up if she has concerns about privacy or an examination.
There is no need to be embarrassed about normal questions involving periods, nutrition, injuries, mental health, or other aspects of growing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do girls have to do for a sports physical?
They usually complete a health-history questionnaire and have a physical examination. The healthcare professional commonly checks blood pressure, vision, heart and lungs, and the musculoskeletal system while asking about medical conditions, injuries, symptoms, and family history.
Do girls have to take their clothes off for a sports physical?
A girl generally does not need to completely undress for a routine sports physical. The examination focuses on relevant health areas, and the exact process can vary by provider.
Do girls get a pelvic exam during a sports physical?
A routine genital examination is not recommended for female athletes as part of a standard preparticipation evaluation.
Do girls have to talk about their period?
A healthcare professional may ask about menstrual health when it is relevant to the athlete’s overall health, nutrition, bone health, or training.
Do sports physicals include blood tests?
Not routinely for healthy, symptom-free athletes. Additional testing may be ordered when a medical history or examination indicates that it is appropriate.
Can a girl fail a sports physical?
An athlete may be temporarily restricted or asked to complete additional evaluation before participating, but this does not necessarily mean she cannot play sports at all. Clearance depends on her health and the demands of the sport.
How often does a girl need a sports physical?
Requirements vary by state and sports organization. Many U.S. school athletic associations require periodic or annual clearance, while medical guidance may use a longer interval for comprehensive evaluations with updates when needed. Always check the requirements of the specific school or league.
The Bottom Line
What do girls have to do for a sports physical? In most cases, they need to complete a health-history form and undergo a basic medical examination before being cleared for sports.
The healthcare professional may check blood pressure, vision, heart and lungs, muscles and joints, and other aspects of general health. Girls may also be asked about previous injuries, menstrual health, nutrition, mental health, medications, and family medical history when relevant.
A routine sports physical does not normally require a pelvic exam for a female athlete, and routine blood tests or an ECG are not automatically required for every healthy athlete. Additional evaluation is based on individual health concerns.
Most importantly, girls should answer medical questions honestly and tell the healthcare professional about symptoms or injuries. The purpose of a sports physical is to help young athletes participate as safely and healthfully as possible.