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
- 2-View cardiac ultrasound screen
- 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.
Why is the Sportlink Physical better?
The Sportlink Physical includes a 2-View Cardiac Ultrasound Screen. Since Sportlink's inception in 1999, we have included cardiac ultrasound in the physical context because it gives the examiners a "window" into 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.
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.
A cardiac ultrasound screen is included in the Sportlink physical at no additional cost.
The cardiac ultrasound screen adds value to the exam by screening for the following conditions:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - the most common cause of sudden death in U.S. athletes
Dilated Aortic Root - a feature of Marfan's Syndrome, another cause of sudden death
This is a unique use of the ultrasound as a visual stethoscope and it 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 6 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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If you would like Sportlink to have an event in your area, please
email your request. A Sportlink representative will contact you within 24 business hours.
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What used to be a disruptive, time-consuming experience for everyone involved is now remarkably painless.
Thank you, Sportlink.
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Jerry Kemstehd - Alex Martino Junior High
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