Fields of Play

Start the Fall Sports Season
on the Right Foot
Sponsored by
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- All Saints


Contributed by
Jessica Geisler, MS, LAT, ROT
Midwest Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints

Most sports injuries in children happen from overuse and can be prevented with proper preparation, appropriate training, the right equipment, and common sense.

Factors to consider if your child plays recreational or club sports:

• Perform proper warm-up and cool-down routines. All athletes need to stretch their muscles to release tension and prevent injury before and after playing sports.


• Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps. Kids often forget to drink water while playing sports. Muscles need hydration to work properly and avoid cramps. Your child should take water breaks every 30 minutes or more.


• Have your child wear properly sized equipment. Check it weekly to make sure it still fits to avoid injury.


• Get instruction on proper technique. Coaches and trainers are there to teach proper technique to avoid injuries.


• Increase training gradually. Remember the 10 percent rule and do not increase training activity, weight, mileage, or pace by more than 10 percent per week. This allows your child’s body time to recover.

Safety Gear & Equipment
Safety gear should be sport-specific and may include such items as:

• Eye protection


• Appropriate pads, guards, and cups


• Proper fitting shoes


• Helmets

Physical Checkup
To make sure your child is physically fit to participate in a particular sport, your child's doctor should conduct a sports physical. These physicals can reveal your child's physical strengths and weaknesses and help determine which sports are appropriate. Most sports physicals for children include a health examination that measures height, weight, and vital signs, as well as check eyes, nose, ears, chest, and abdomen. In addition, your child's doctor may perform an orthopedic examination to check joints, bones, and muscles.

If your child is in need of a physical to participate in high school sports, Midwest Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints has several clinics available beginning in July.

The physical will include:

• Height


• Weight


• Vision


• Blood pressure


• Exam by a sports medicine physician


• Musculoskeletal screening (performed by Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists)

Cost is $25 (not billable to insurance).

Please note: This evaluation only fulfills physical examination requirements for WIAA sports and is not a substitute for your child's complete preventive health assessments, which may include blood work and immunizations. To find a primary care doctor, visit www.mywheaton.org/findadoctor

More information about dates, times, locations, registration, and payment, can be found online at www.mywheaton.org/sportsphysicals