A sports physical is a focused medical exam that clears teens for athletic participation. It is designed to catch conditions that could make sports dangerous. It is real medicine, not a formality, and it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
If your teen is starting a sport at a Texas public school, they need a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation, commonly called a sports physical, before they can practice or compete. Hillside Primary Care offers same-day sports physicals for teens ages 12 and up at 18 locations across the San Antonio area, El Paso, Killeen, and Seguin. Providers complete the Texas UIL form during the visit, so families walk out with the paperwork they need.
This page covers what a sports physical actually is, what happens during the exam, how long it takes and how long it is good for, what to bring, and how to book. It also addresses the questions parents commonly ask but often feel awkward searching for.
What Is a Sports Physical? (And Why It Is Not Just a Formality)
A sports physical is formally called the Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation, or PPE. The current national standard is the PPE 5th edition, developed jointly by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and other major medical societies.
The purpose of the exam is specific. It is designed to identify medical conditions that could cause serious injury or death during athletic participation, and to identify conditions that could be affected by participation. It is not a fitness assessment. It is not a checkbox for parents to complete on the way to signing up for the season. It is a focused clinical exam with a real safety purpose.
Every year in the United States, young athletes die on the field from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. Others suffer preventable injury because prior concussions were not properly cleared. Others develop long-term health consequences because energy availability or menstrual health issues went unaddressed. The sports physical is designed to catch these situations before they become emergencies.
The sports physical is not the same as an annual wellness visit. A comprehensive well-visit covers routine immunizations, mental health screening beyond sports concerns, sexual health, and preventive counseling for adolescents. Many teens combine the sports physical with an annual wellness visit at Hillside, which most insurance plans cover in full. If your teen is due for their annual wellness visit at Hillside, we can complete both in the same appointment.
What Happens During a Sports Physical
The exam has two parts: a detailed health history, which accounts for roughly three-quarters of the diagnostic value, and a focused physical examination.
The History
The provider will ask about:
- Personal medical history, including past illnesses, prior injuries, surgeries, and hospitalizations
- Family history, particularly cardiac history. Sudden cardiac death in family members under the age of 50 is a specific red flag providers ask about, because inherited conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome can put athletes at risk
- Prior concussions, including when they occurred, how they were diagnosed, and when your teen was cleared to return to activity
- Current medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and any performance products
- Menstrual history for female athletes. Irregular or absent periods in athletes can signal a condition called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which affects bone density and long-term health. This is a normal, important part of the exam
- Mental health screening. The 5th edition of the PPE added this because mental health is part of overall athlete safety. It is a check-in, not a judgment
- Age-appropriate questions about substance use, framed as a safety conversation
The Physical Exam
- Vital signs including blood pressure, height, weight, and heart rate
- A vision check
- Listening to the heart and lungs
- Brief examination of the abdomen
- Musculoskeletal screening. The provider will ask your teen to move through some joint positions to check range of motion, flexibility, and any pain
- Basic neurological screening
- For adolescent males, a brief hernia examination. The next section explains what this involves
- For adolescent female teens, the sports physical does not routinely include a genital examination
Form Completion
The Texas UIL Pre-Participation Physical Examination form is completed by the provider during the visit. Private schools, TAPPS schools, and non-UIL youth programs sometimes use different forms; bring whichever form your school or league requires. Our companion guide on sports physical forms and Texas UIL requirements walks through which form applies to which situation.
About the Physical Exam: Privacy, Modesty, and What Parents Should Know
Parents ask about this part of the exam more often than they say out loud. Here is the direct answer.
For Adolescent Male Teens
The standard sports physical exam includes a brief check for hernias, which involves the provider palpating the groin area for a few seconds. This part of the exam is quick. The teen wears athletic shorts or is appropriately draped. The provider explains what they are doing before they do it. Parents can be present. The purpose is to catch hernias that could worsen with the physical exertion of sports.
For Adolescent Female Teens
The sports physical does not routinely include a genital or pelvic examination. Providers ask about menstrual history verbally as part of the health history. It is a conversation, not an exam.
Privacy and Chaperones
- For minors under 18, a parent can be present for the entire visit if the teen is comfortable with that arrangement.
- Teens who want some privacy for parts of the exam can have that, with a medical chaperone present.
- Providers respect adolescent modesty. Drapes, brief exam times, and clear explanations are standard practice.
- Your teen can ask questions or ask the provider to slow down or explain anything at any point during the visit.
If you have specific concerns about your teen’s comfort with any part of the exam, talk to a Hillside doctor about scheduling your teen’s visit and mention the concern when you book. Providers appreciate the heads-up.
How Long Does a Sports Physical Take, and How Long Is It Good For?
How Long the Visit Takes
A sports physical alone typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes with the provider. Combining it with an annual wellness visit takes longer, around 20 to 25 minutes, because the wellness visit covers additional preventive care. Same-day scheduling at Hillside means the wait for the appointment itself is short, so the total time from arriving at the office to walking out with a completed form may take an hour to an hour and a half.
How Long the Physical Is Good For
- Texas UIL public schools, grades 7 through 12: the physical is required annually. A physical completed for the current school year is valid for that school year. A new physical is required each year.
- Private schools and TAPPS schools: check your school’s specific athletic handbook. Some follow the annual UIL cycle; others have different requirements.
- Non-school youth leagues, club sports, and camps: requirements vary. Bring the specific form the league or camp requires so the provider can complete it correctly.
Many families choose to schedule their teen’s sports physical in July or early August to cover the upcoming school year. Others schedule it closer to their sport’s season start. Both approaches work, as long as the timing meets the school’s requirements. For families getting a late start on paperwork, same-day appointments at Hillside are typically available.
When Your Teen Will Need a New One
- Once per school year for UIL athletes in grades 7 through 12
- Sooner if a significant injury, illness, concussion, or new diagnosis has occurred since the last physical; the provider may need to re-evaluate clearance
What to Bring to the Sports Physical
Bring these to your teen’s appointment:
- The sports physical form your school or league requires. For Texas public schools, this is the current UIL Pre-Participation Physical Examination form
- A list of your teen’s current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements
- Documentation of any prior concussions, including diagnosis, management, and return-to-play clearance from the time of injury. Texas Natasha’s Law has specific concussion management requirements for school athletes
- Documentation of any prior significant injuries or surgeries, particularly musculoskeletal or cardiac
- Insurance card and photo ID
- Glasses or contact lenses if your teen wears them. Vision is checked during the exam
- Athletic clothing. Shorts and a t-shirt make the musculoskeletal and hernia exams easier
- Your teen. For minors, at least one parent typically signs the intake paperwork
Optional but helpful:
- A list of your family’s medical history, particularly any sudden cardiac events or early heart disease in relatives
- Your teen’s previous sports physical form if they have one from a prior year
If you are not sure what your teen’s school or league requires, call ahead if you have questions about your teen’s specific situation. Front-desk staff can help clarify before the visit.
Where to Get a Sports Physical Near You: Hillside’s 18 San Antonio-Area Locations
Hillside Primary Care offers sports physicals for teens ages 12 and up at 18 locations across San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Seguin, and surrounding communities. Because Hillside is a real primary care practice, not a walk-in clinic, the provider who sees your teen for the sports physical can become their ongoing primary care doctor. Same-day appointments are typically available during the July and August back-to-school rush, including Saturday appointments at our Live Oak location.
Flagship San Antonio-Area Locations
- Live Oak — Saturday appointments available
- Stone Oak
- Medical Center
- Castle Hills
- Universal City
- Schertz
All 18 Locations
Hillside also has locations in Cibolo, Culebra Road, El Paso, Killeen, Leon Valley, New Braunfels, Seguin, Southside, Walzem, Westover Hills, Advent Killeen, and other communities across the region. Find the Hillside location nearest you.
For families who need one on short notice, our guide on same-day sports physicals for parents who need one fast walks through what to expect and how to book quickly.
Ready to book?
Book Online • Call (210) 742-6555
Hillside vs Urgent Care vs Quick-Clinic: What Makes Primary Care Different
Not every place that offers a sports physical offers the same thing. What Hillside offers that walk-in clinics generally do not:
Continuity. The provider who does your teen’s sports physical can become their ongoing primary care doctor. If something is identified during the exam that needs follow-up, you already have a relationship with the practice, and your teen is not starting from scratch with a new provider.
Comprehensive care option. Many teens can complete their annual wellness visit and their sports physical in the same appointment. Most insurance plans cover the annual wellness visit at Hillside in full, and adding the sports physical to that visit is often the most efficient path.
Time. A Hillside appointment is scheduled for the exam, not for the minimum time needed to complete a form. Providers have time to ask about family history, prior injuries, and any concerns your teen or you want to raise.
Provider expertise with adolescent care. Hillside providers see teens for physicals, sick visits, ongoing conditions, and preventive care. Adolescent health is part of what our team does routinely, not a once-a-year interaction with a stranger.
Coordination with Hillside Medical Group services. For teens whose care includes mental health medication or evaluation, Hillside coordinates with Psychiatric Center of San Antonio inside the same medical group. And for teens managing anxiety, depression, or related concerns, our anxiety and depression care at Hillside is integrated with the primary care relationship. Learn more about how a primary care doctor treats anxiety and depression.
If Your Teen Has ADHD Medication, Anxiety Medication, or a Concussion History
Three parent questions come up often. Here are the answers.
ADHD Medication
Bring the medication list to the visit. For most sports, ADHD medication is not disqualifying. Some competitive programs, particularly at the varsity and college-recruitment level, require specific documentation for stimulant medication. Your Hillside provider can complete any required forms during the visit if the sport or program requires them.
Anxiety or Depression Medication
Bring the medication list. Mental health medication does not disqualify sports participation and is not shared with the school without your consent. The provider reviews the medication list to check for safety and interactions. If you want more background on how medication decisions are made in primary care, our guide on medications a primary care doctor can prescribe for anxiety and depression covers the framework.
Prior Concussion
Bring documentation of the concussion, including how it was diagnosed, how it was managed, and when your teen was cleared to return to activity. Texas Natasha’s Law requires specific concussion management protocols for school athletes, and providers review that history as part of the clearance process. If your teen has had a concussion in the last several months, additional evaluation may be needed before clearance for a new season. The CDC HEADS UP program has additional resources for families managing return to play.
Book Your Teen’s Sports Physical at Hillside
A sports physical is a real medical exam, not a formality, and choosing where to have it done matters. Hillside Primary Care is a full primary care practice with 18 locations across the San Antonio area, providers who see teens routinely, and same-day appointments during back-to-school season.
Book your teen’s sports physical at Hillside or call (210) 742-6555 to schedule.
If your teen is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm at any point, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Support is available around the clock, and reaching out is not something your teen has to do alone.
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Clearance for sports participation is a clinical decision made by the provider at the visit, based on the teen’s history and physical examination. If you have questions about your teen’s specific situation, contact your Hillside primary care provider.
Book Your Teen’s Sports Physical at Hillside
A sports physical is a real medical exam, not a formality, and choosing where to have it done matters. Hillside Primary Care is a full primary care practice with 18 locations across the San Antonio area, providers who see teens routinely, and same-day appointments during back-to-school season.
Book your teen’s sports physical at Hillside or call (210) 742-6555 to schedule.
If your teen is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm at any point, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Support is available around the clock, and reaching out is not something your teen has to do alone.
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Clearance for sports participation is a clinical decision made by the provider at the visit, based on the teen’s history and physical examination. If you have questions about your teen’s specific situation, contact your Hillside primary care provider.
FAQs:
Q1. What is a sports physical?
Ans: A sports physical, formally called the Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation, is a focused medical exam that clears teens for athletic participation. The exam is a detailed health history and a physical examination designed to identify conditions that could make sports dangerous. It is required annually for Texas public school athletes in grades 7 through 12.
Q2. How long does a sports physical take?
Ans: A sports physical alone typically takes 15-20 minutesminutes with the provider. Combining it with an annual wellness visit takes longer, usually 20 to 25 minutes because additional preventive care is included.
How long is a sports physical good for?
For Texas public schools grades 7 through 12, the sports physical is required annually. It is valid for the school year in which it was completed. Private schools and non-UIL leagues may have different requirements; check your specific school’s athletic handbook.
Where can I get a sports physical near me?
Hillside Primary Care offers sports physicals at 18 locations across the San Antonio area, El Paso, Killeen, and Seguin. Same-day appointments are typically available during back-to-school season. Book online or call (210) 742-6555 to schedule at the location closest to you.
Do they check your private parts in a sports physical?
For adolescent male teens, the standard exam includes a brief hernia check that involves the provider palpating the groin area for a few seconds. The teen is appropriately draped and the provider explains what they are doing before doing it. For adolescent female teens, the sports physical does not routinely include a genital examination. Parents can be present, and teens who want additional privacy can have a chaperone.
Do you get drug tested at a sports physical?
No. Sports physicals do not include drug testing as a standard component. Providers may ask about substance use as part of the health history, framed as a safety conversation, but no urine or blood drug screening is performed as part of the routine PPE.
Can my daughter get a sports physical at Hillside?
Yes. Hillside sees teen athletes of all genders ages 12 and up at all 18 locations. Parents of daughters sometimes ask about privacy specifically; the sports physical for female athletes does not routinely include a genital examination, and chaperone practices are standard. Book a sports physical for your daughter at the location closest to you.
What forms do I need to bring?
For Texas public schools, bring the current UIL Pre-Participation Physical Examination form, available from your school’s athletic office or the Texas UIL website. Private schools, TAPPS schools, and youth leagues sometimes use different forms; bring whichever forms your school or league requires. If you are not sure, ask the front desk when you book.
Does Hillside offer same-day sports physicals?
Same-day appointments for sports physicals are typically available at Hillside locations during the July and August back-to-school rush. Book a same-day appointment online or call (210) 742-6555 to check availability at your preferred location.
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