Youth Athletes Encouraged to Get Sports Physicals

Many young athletes today are asked -- and often required -- to have a pre-participation physical, often called a sports physical, done prior to both practicing and playing in a game. Recently, BCH family medicine physician Dr. Joshua Garfein sat down to talk to Denver 7News about the importance of sports physicals to ensure your youth player is fit and cleared for safe sports play.

Sport physicals look at family medical history and other risk factors for cardiac and lung disease as well as concussion history and bone, joint or connective tissue abnormalities. Explains Dr. Garfein: "We go through risk factors for cardiac disease or sudden cardiac death with family members, which is the most common thing that we really want to screen for."

To help get your athlete on the field, court, track or in the pool, BCH offers convenient walk-in, $35 sports physicals through our Urgent Care Centers in Gunbarrel and Superior from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week. For more information, visit bch.org/urgentcare.