Every participant in a school sports team is required to complete a pre-participation physical examination, also called sports physical. Sports physicals consist of two parts: a medical history and a physical examination. The goals of sports physicals are to evaluate an athlete's general health, current fitness level, risk of injury, and physical well-being. A sports physical allows a physician to identify any conditions that might keep the athlete out of the game or affect performance.
Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade who are making their initial entry into a Florida school must present a record of a physical examination completed within the past 12 months. The exam record should be taken to the child's school upon enrollment. These exams are crucial in identifying any deficiencies in a child health that may impact their learning experience.