Schedule your athlete’s sports physical at Urgent Care

Get ready for fall sports by scheduling your athlete’s sports physical at Akron Children’s Urgent Care.

Summer break from school is flying by. Now is the perfect time to schedule a sports physical and get your athlete ready for fall sports. Dr. Alicia Manly, pediatrician and medical director of Akron Children’s Urgent Care, gives these tips about sports physicals.

Why is now the right time to get a sports physical?

Akron Children’s Urgent Care offers appointments for sports physicals, and they fill up fast as fall sports season approaches. Plus, getting a sports physical now means you will have more time for any follow-up care your athlete needs.

What does a sports physical include?

You’ll fill out a health and medical history form about your child. The Urgent Care provider will review the form and perform a head-to-toe exam with extra attention paid to your athlete’s muscles, bones, heart and nervous system. The goal of the sports physical, also called a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE), is to make sure it’s safe for your athlete to play sports and check for any serious health risks.

Should I bring the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) paperwork?

Yes, please bring the completed OHSAA PPE form to the sports physical appointment. The visit cannot begin until the form is completed.

Dr. Alicia Manly

If my child gets a sports physical, do they still need a primary care well visit?

Sports physicals and well visits are not the same. Your child can get a well visit instead of a sports physical – just ask the primary care provider to fill out the PPE form. But a sports physical should not take the place of a well visit. Here’s why:

• A sports physical helps us decide if your child is healthy enough to play sports safely.
• A well visit covers a lot more – including how your child is growing and developing; if they need any vaccines or have long-term health issues; or any problems they’re having at school.

If your child had a well visit in the past 12 months, the primary care provider might fill out the PPE form without another visit. Contact the provider’s office to be sure.

What does a sports physical cost?

A sports physical costs $45, which you can pay by check or credit card. We won’t bill your insurance for a sports physical.

Are sports physicals available at all five Akron Children’s Urgent Care locations?

Yes, but the schedule varies by location. When you schedule an appointment online, choose the location and date/time that works best for you.

Are sports physicals available anywhere else at Akron Children’s?

In addition to an Urgent Care sports physical or a complete primary care well visit, Sports Medicine and Quick Care offer sports physicals.