Ahead of the game: What to know about school and sports physicals

No matter the time of year, there always seems to be a to-do list for parents. Whether your family is in the middle of a busy school year or enjoying a well-earned break, you probably have a list of tasks that need to get done. And if your child is a student-athlete, a sports physical is probably on the list.

This exam is often required for students to participate in school or recreational sports. Checking this off your to-do list now is a great way to get ahead of the game, and MD Now® urgent care is here to help. At MD Now, your child's sports physical is efficient, convenient and just $35 until August 31. Keep reading below to learn more about the process of getting a sports physical and how MD Now can help get you ready for the season.

What happens during a sports physical at MD Now?

A sports physical — also called a pre-participation physical exam (PPE) — is an informative examination that aims to determine if your child is generally healthy and ready for physical activity. The visit is performed by one of our healthcare providers and is best scheduled a few weeks before the beginning of practices or tryouts. The exam usually takes around 30 minutes and includes a few key elements:

• Medical history conversation: A provider will start by reviewing your child's personal and family health history. You can expect questions about issues like asthma, heart conditions, past injuries like concussions and fractures or any medications that your child is taking. It's also a chance for you or your child to mention any new symptoms or health concerns.
• Vitals check and basic measurements: Next, we'll check blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height and sometimes vision. These measurements help establish baselines and spot any issues early like high blood pressure or vision concerns.
• Physical exam: A provider will then perform a head-to-toe exam focused on your child's muscles, joints, heart, lungs, spine and flexibility. These quick checks help spot anything that could increase the risk of injury during the season.

Who needs a sports physical?

If your child is joining a school team, sports camp or any other physically active program, a sports physical is likely required or strongly recommended. You'll usually need one before participating in:

• Middle school and high school sports teams
• Cheer, dance and drill teams
• Marching band and color guard
• Recreational or club sports teams
• Sports camps, martial arts classes and other physical activities

It's a good idea to check with your child's school or after-school program to confirm if a physical is required in order to participate. Even if one is not, it's still a great way to make sure they are ready to play safely. Also, these physical exams offer a unique chance for teens and pre-teens to ask questions about their health in a low-stress and supportive environment.

School and sports physicals for $35 at MD Now

There's no better time than the summer to check this off your to-do list. Even better: MD Now is offering school and sports physicals at a discounted rate of just $35 from May 5 – Aug. 31, 2025.

The school year and fall sports season will be here faster than you think, and tryouts often start well before the first day of school. Take advantage of the flexibility summer offers and head into the season with one less thing on your list. With extended hours, convenient locations, our convenient Web Check-In® and no appointment needed, MD Now urgent care makes it easy to fit this into your family's schedule.

About MD Now® urgent care

MD Now® urgent care is Florida’s largest urgent care operator with 100+ state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located across Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval, Hendry, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia Counties. MD Now urgent care’s physician-led team of healthcare professionals provides high-quality healthcare through a comprehensive lineup of urgent care and occupational health services during convenient hours. MD Now urgent care is proud to be affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare. For more information, visit the MD Now website.