As summer approaches, parents and guardians will be expected to make sure their child is prepared with health documents needed for participation in camp and sports activities.

Summer sports and camps often require a sports physical for participation as a proactive approach to identifying children who may be at higher risk for injuries or other health conditions. Many schools and teams also require students to be caught up with immunizations.

"These are important and vital towards their care," said Jason Hefner, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Piedmont Physicians of Canton, and a Piedmont Primary Care Regional Medical Director. "It’s a good time of year for getting kids physically and emotionally ready: reviewing their health, academic record, their emotional health, making sure their routine health is up-to-date, including their vaccines and physicals."

Sports and camp physicals are generally brief and include checking vitals, heart and lung health, joints, flexibility and medical history. A fitness assessment may also be performed to determine potential physical limitations.

"First thing you make sure of is that their heart is healthy: checking their blood pressure, typically listening to the heart and lungs, making sure their heart’s at a nice and normal rhythm," Hefner explained. "And then we perform an orthopedic exam to make sure that they're not set up for injury to the best of our ability to protect it."

Hefner also encourages parents and guardians to make sure their child’s wellness checks and preventative visits are up-to-date (within the past year).

Sports physicals can be taken care of at a Piedmont primary care office, a Piedmont QuickCare clinic, or Piedmont Urgent Care by scheduling an appointment. To find a Piedmont clinic location near you, visit piedmont.org.