The Sportlink Physical is a cardiac-focused physical using the national standards as a foundation. Whether you need a sports physical or an annual exam, the Sportlink Physical is the answer.
The Sportlink Physical includes:
- Physical exam
- Medical history review
- Snapshot echo
- Vision screen
- Strength and flexibility Screen
- Body fat measurement
- Musculoskeletal screen
- Blood pressure and pulse measurement
- Body Mass Index
- Height and weight measurement
The Sportlink Physical applies to the following types of physicals:
- Sports Physical
- 5th Grade Physical*
- 9th Grade Physical*
- College Entrance Physical
- Camp Physical
* These physicals do not include immunizations.
The Sportlink Physical follows the guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association and the five major medical academies in the United States
The Sportlink Physical is performed by licensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. All exams are performed onsite at the schools for maximal convenience to students, faculty, and parents. Registration, form download and payment are all available online.
The Sportlink Physical includes a Snapshot Echo, which is 2-View Echocardiogram Screening. It is a non-invasive test that takes less than 60 seconds. We call it the "Snapshot Echo" because it is similar to taking a quick picture of the heart.
The purpose of the Snapshot Echo, which includes two views and two measurements of the the heart walls and chambers, is to quickly identify any high visible structural abnormalities of the heart. It exists to enhance the cardiac-focused physical by taking actual measurements of the heart walls. These measurements better inform the physician when determining whether or not the student/student athlete can be cleared for participation in athletics and/or overall well-being.
What is the difference between Snapshot Echo and the Cardiac Life Screen echocardiogram?
Snapshot Echo has 2 views of the heart.
Cardiac Life Screen has between 20-30 views.
Snapshot Echo measurements are interpreted by the physician onsite.
Cardiac Life Screen measurements are reviewed and interpreted by a cardiologist offsite.
Snapshot Echo results are measurements written on the physical form.
Cardiac Life Screen results are complete and detailed echocardiogram reports mailed to the patient's home.
This Snapshop Echo is not a full echocardiogram or a limited echocardiogram as traditionally performed. It is important to realize that normal measurements are no guarantee of preventing sudden cardiac death. Most of the causes of sudden death are undetectable, and even the conditions screened for can have normal measurements and still be present. Unfortunately, the history and physical alone has limited value in identifying students at risk, though that remains the standard of care.
The cardiac ultrasound station gives the physician additional data to determine clearance. It adds to the data gathered from the other stations to form a more complete sports exam. Just like a flexibility measurement gives information that is useful in detecting tight hamstrings, and an elevated blood pressure reading may point to hypertension or excessive caffeine intake, the measurement of the intraventricular septum thickness and the aortic root width may give a clue as to the student at risk for sudden death. Sportlink physicians have used the ultrasound in this way for over 9 years on 20,000 athletes.
* American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee: Cardiovascular Pre-participation Screening of Competitive Athletes. American Heart Association Medical/Scientific State-ments. June 20,1996.
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Simply from a school liability standpoint, this exam is necessary.
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Roger Sikkenga - Superintendent
Chicago Southwest Christian Schools
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