Dr. Richard Smith tells us about the importance of sports physicals for student athletes.

Physicals are mandated by the UIL. All athletic children entering the grades 7th, 9th, and 11th are mandated by UIL to have a sports participation physical on file at the school. Some school districts even mandate it once a year.

They are important because, we are not trying to disqualify students, but we are trying to make sure we have student athletes that are into sports that are appropriate for them. These are important physicals so that we can make sure these athletes are not participating in things that are beyond their abilities and also beyond their health considerations.

There are two flags that we look at: Medical History and Unknown Conditions.