SAN ANTONIO -- It’s that time of year. Student athletes are booking appointments for sports physicals, getting ready for the coming school year. Doctors say those checks shouldn’t be left until the last minute.
Parents often think of summer sports physicals as a rite of passage, as simple as getting a physician’s signature on a form. But doctors say parents need to take them seriously.
School sports these days are intense and competitive. Many of the team activities require daily, challenging training. That’s why most school districts require that a doctor sign off on the child’s health.
16-year-old Gabriel San Miguel will play baseball at Taft. His mother said this quick visit gave her peace of mind.
“They know they’re healthy before they start a sport,” Diane Martinez said. “And they won’t have any health issues while they’re in a sport. They won’t have any sudden deaths or anything like that.”
Two cases of sudden death in Texas student athletes made headlines this past year. Reggie Garrett of Beaumont collapsed in September when his heart stopped just as he completed throwing a touchdown pass. In March, Robert Garza, a junior basketball player in Roma, Texas, collapsed and died during a tournament game.
Texas MedClinics in San Antonio conduct thousands of sports physicals each year. Dr. David Gude, Texas MedClinics chief operating officer, said parent presence and input is important since teenagers don’t always know family history.
“They’re not usually fountains of information,” Gude stressed. “They’re invulnerable. They’re going to live forever. I’m an old adult. Why dod they want to talk to me? It’s easier. The parents usually know a lot more about what’s going on.”
Briana Tremillo will be playing basketball at East Central this year. Her mother has noticed even the forms are more detailed than ever before.
“I think the questions about heart conditions it’s gotten a little more extensive,” Julie Quintana said. “The questions have probably doubled since years past.”
“It’s in the best interest of the student athlete that we do the very best job we can,” Gude added. “We can only do that with good information.”
Doctors say don’t wait until the last minute for the school sports physical. If any further testing needs to be done, it take time to set up.
