Essentia Health is proud to start offering sports physicals for student-athletes, from middle school to college, across Minnesota and Wisconsin that will be valid for next school year and beyond.
In Minnesota, sports physicals completed on or after April 13 are good for three years.
A sports physical, also known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE), helps determine whether it’s safe for your child to participate in a certain sport. Most states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin, require that student athletes have a sports physical before they can start a new sport (including any practices) or begin a new competitive season. It is recommended that your child have their physical at least six weeks before their sports season begins so there is enough time to follow up on something if necessary.
“Sports physicals are a vital part of keeping student-athletes safe and healthy throughout their seasons,” said Dr. Jonathan KenKnight a pediatrician at Essentia. “They help us catch potential health concerns early and ensure that kids are physically ready to participate at their best. These visits also support overall wellness, helping kids stay healthy and active all year long.”
Forms are available online at mshsl.org (Minnesota). Please complete and sign the appropriate form before your appointment and bring a copy when you come in for your child’s physical. This form may also be completed via MyChart with an active account.
Sports physicals can be completed on their own or as part of a well-child/teen visit. Well-child/teen visits are a great time to review your child’s health in all areas – growth, cognitive and social development, illness prevention, mental health and more. These visits are recommended annually.
You can schedule these visits directly through your pediatrician or family medicine provider. You can also schedule by calling (844) 663-1068, online through EssentiaHealth.org or through your Essentia MyChart account.
