Indiana Student Athletes Can Get Physical Exam and Raise Money for Their High School

When it comes to youth sports, the rules and regulations implemented to keep young athletes healthy and safe have changed quite a bit over the years. One thing that has remained the same for as long as I can remember is the good old-fashioned physical. If you plan on playing sports in high school, you're gonna have to get a physical. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has a neat opportunity for young athletes to get a physical and raise a little bit of money for their high school at the same time. I'll tell you about that in a minute, but first, here's a little more info about the actual examination.

What is Included in a Sports Physical?

A preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is pretty standard, really. In most instances, and with most athletes, here is what the doctor will do (according to kidshealth.org)...

• record your height and weight
• check your blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm)
• test your vision
• check your heart and lungs
• examine your muscles, bones, and joints

There's one more part of the evaluation, at least for the boys, that I need to mention. The doctor will sometimes check a male patient's testicles for the presence of a hernia - this is the "turn your head and cough" move that you may have heard about. I don't know if it is still done today, but it was done at every one of my physicals back in the day.

Physicals for IHSAA Athletes

Tri-State Orthopaedics is having an open house, of sorts, for PPE's on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 8am-1pm at their east side office, located at 225 Crosslake Drive in Evansville. The physicals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and that means walk-ins only, no appointments. The cost for the physical is just $10, but here's the really neat part - that $10 goes back to the student's high school. Notice the fine print below that says "No one will be denied a physical if unable to pay." How cool is that? One more added little bonus to the deal is that each student gets a free t-shirt, and everybody loves a free t-shirt.