At Community Health Centers of South Central Texas, we believe that a tight budget should never keep a child on the sidelines. That is why we are proud to offer $10 school/sports physicals to make sure every athlete in our community has access to safe, affordable care. To help you prepare for the upcoming school year completely stress-free, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE), commonly known as a sports physical!
What is a sports physical?
The PPE was developed by leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Sports Medicine. These exams are an important part of pediatric preventative healthcare. In fact, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) mandates that Texas students complete and submit this official evaluation before they are cleared to step onto the field, court, or stage. Our providers take the time to evaluate your child’s overall physical readiness to ensure they can participate safely while fully complying with state rules. You can view the mandatory UIL PPE sample form here.
During a standard $10 sports physical, our team checks:
- Vital Signs: Measuring blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight to ensure healthy baselines.
- Vision Screening: Checking to see if your child needs corrective lenses to safely see the ball, the court, or their teammates.
- Joint & Muscle Flexibility: Assessing past injuries, posture, and strength to help prevent future strains or sprains.
- Medical History Review: Discussing any family history of cardiac issues, asthma, or allergies that could impact them during intense physical activity.
We don’t have health insurance, can my child still get a sports physical?
You do not need health insurance to get a sports physical at any of our 8 clinics. Healthcare costs can add up quickly, especially when you are already budgeting for new cleats, school supplies, and athletic fees. Our mission as a community health center is to break down those financial barriers. By offering sports physicals for just $10, we make it easy for families to get the required school paperwork signed without stressing over a hefty medical bill.
In fact, no insurance is required for any of our affordable services! We are here to support your family’s health year-round with:
- Annual well-check exams and pediatric care to monitor growth and development.
- Routine dental care to keep their smiles healthy.
- Required vaccines for school and peace of mind.
- Same-day sick visits for when those unexpected bugs pop up.
If you ever need financial assistance, our specialized Eligibility Team is always on hand to help you find a payment solution, like our Sliding Fee Discount Program, that fits your family’s budget.
Does a sports physical exam replace my child’s annual well-check exam?
No, a sports physical does not replace an annual exam. Think of them as a team: they work best together, but they do completely different jobs!
A sports physical is a quick, specialized exam focused entirely on “play clearance”, making sure your child is physically safe to hit the field or the stage. Because it is so focused, a sports physical examination skips essential things like routine immunizations, lab work, developmental tracking, and broad wellness counseling. To keep your child completely healthy inside and out, it’s important to keep both appointments on your calendar!
My child has asthma, can they still safely play sports?
Absolutely, yes! Having asthma shouldn’t keep your child on the sidelines.
Many young athletes with asthma excel in every single sport, from track to soccer. During their $10 sports physical, our providers will review your child’s medical history and help make sure you have an updated inhaler plan, proper peak-flow monitoring, and the paperwork needed for school coaches. We are here to help them manage their symptoms so they can play hard and breathe easy.
Did you know we also provide affordable chronic disease management for your child such as:
- Asthma (managing inhalers and action plans)
- Allergies and Eczema
- ADHD
- Diabetes
Learn more about our pediatric services here.
What are the most important things examined in sports physicals?
- Heart Health: Reviewing medical and family history to catch rare but serious cardiac “red flags”, including past heart evaluations or history of high blood pressure.
- Mental Health: Athletes face unique pressures like stress, performance anxiety, and perfectionism. Our providers offer a safe, private space to discuss emotional well-being.
- Concussion & Head – Injury Management: “Any athlete with a known or possible concussion should not return to any exercise or sports without being cleared by a healthcare professional.” – AAP. If your child has a history of concussions, we review past injuries to make sure they have fully recovered and help determine if they need any adjustments at school or on the field.
- For Girls/Women: Sports physicals can help find concerns that can include menstrual health, bone health and nutrition/calorie intake. Young women are at a higher risk for certain bone and joint injuries, including ACL tears of the knee. Your provider can ask specialized screening questions and tests can lead to treatment and prevention programs, if needed.
- For Athletes with Disabilities: We provide tailored evaluations to help children with special health needs or physical disabilities safely participate in the sports and activities they love.
Do we need to prepare for the sports physical examination?
To make your PPE exam go as smoothly as possible, remember to:
- Fill Out the Health History: The official sports physical form includes an in-depth “Medical History” portion. You can sit down with your child and answer the heart, allergy, and injury questions honestly ahead of time, then bring the signed form with you. We also provide forms on-site, if preferred.
- Bring Vision Correction: If your child wears glasses or contacts, make sure they bring them along for the vision screening.
- Bring a Medication List: Include any daily supplements, prescriptions, or quick-relief medical plans (like an asthma inhaler or EpiPen).
When is the best time to schedule a school/sports physical?
The AAP recommends booking a sports physical at least 6 to 8 weeks before the season starts. This gives your family a massive cushion. If our providers uncover a minor issue, like a past injury that needs physical therapy or an asthma plan that needs adjusting, you have plenty of time to get it sorted out before the first day of practice!
Every year, local clinics get completely overwhelmed during the final two weeks of August. Slots fill up fast, parents get stressed, and athletes risk missing their first week of practice because they couldn’t get an appointment in time. By taking advantage of our $10 sports physicals in June or July, you can cross this major task off your list early, secure a time slot that actually fits your summer schedule, and enjoy the rest of your vacation completely stress-free.
Timeline: When to schedule your child’s school/sports physical
| Upcoming Sports Season | Best Booking Window | Why It’s the Best Time |
| Fall Sports (Starts in Summer/August) |
May – July | Beats the hectic back-to-school rush and leaves plenty of time for any needed follow-up care. |
| Winter Sports (Starts in November) |
August – October | Gets their clearance sorted early so their exam stays fresh and valid for the entire season. |
| Spring (Starts in February) |
November – January | Get the paperwork signed before the winter holidays and guarantee your athlete is cleared the moment tryouts open. |
Schedule a $10 Sports Physical Today!
Let’s get your athlete cleared and ready to win! We welcome all students, youth league players, and school organization participants across the cities/counties we serve including: Bastrop, Elgin, Lockhart, Luling, Seguin, Victoria, and surrounding areas. Find an affordable community health clinic close to home here or call 1-800-343-1577 to schedule an appointment today!
Uninsured or need medical assistance? We’re here to help!
Need other affordable health care services for your child or family members? We offer medical, dental, and mental health services in 8 convenient clinic locations across Central Texas.
We’ve also built a specialized Eligibility Team dedicated to one goal: helping you find a way to pay for the care you need. Whether you are uninsured, underinsured, or just looking for supplemental coverage, our team is here to guide and assist you in finding the right solutions. You may qualify for programs such as:
- Family Planning Program
- Healthy Texas Women
- Your Texas Benefits: Medicaid and CHIP
Give us a call today at our Eligibility Phone Line: 830-203-6500 or stop by any of our local clinics. We’re here to help!
Visit a Community Health Center Near You
- Bastrop – 275 Jackson Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
- Bastrop ISD – 1602 Hill Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
- Elgin – 711 W 10th Street, Elgin, TX 78621
- Gonzales – 228 Saint George Street, Gonzales, TX 78629
- Lockhart – 2060 S. Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644
- Luling – 111 South Laurel Avenue, Luling, TX 78648
- Seguin – 1104 Jefferson Avenue, Seguin, TX 78155
- Victoria – 4206 Retama Circle, Victoria, TX 77901
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.g.). Healthy Children. https://www.aap.org/
American College of Sports Medicine. (n.g.). ACSM | American College of Sports Medicine. https://acsm.org/
HealthyChildren.org. (2019, June 17). ACL injuries. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/ACL-Injuries.aspx
HealthyChildren.org. (2023, April 14). Sports-related concussion: Understanding the risks, signs, and symptoms. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Sports-Related-Concussion-Understanding-the-Risks-Signs-Symptoms.aspx
University Interscholastic League. (2026). Pre-participation physical evaluation – Medical history. https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/PrePhysFormRvsd2026.pdf
