With longer days and dryer weather, summer is when Washington state comes alive with sports and outdoor activities. This is a great time to make sure you and your loved ones are ready to hit the field, track, court, or mountains. For student athletes, completing a sports physical ensures they are ready for tryouts and practices that start in the fall. A sports physical at Kinwell will provide peace of mind…and the paperwork required to participate in many after-school sports.
“The goal is not just to allow participation, but to prevent avoidable harm,” said Nawaf Alfaouri, DNP, a nurse practitioner at Kinwell’s Ballard location. “Before taking on any physically demanding challenge—whether that’s a varsity season, a new gym routine, or a major hike—we need to assess the whole athlete: heart, lungs, joints, muscles, and mindset.”
What is a sports physical?
This routine health check is also known as a pre-participation examination (PPE) and is often a requirement to participate in interscholastic athletics. It’s also beneficial for anyone planning to ramp up their physical activity, whether playing in a local sports league or planning a challenging hike. This important exam can identify conditions, such as an irregular heartbeat, that could put an athlete at risk.
“Sudden cardiac arrest remains the most serious cardiac emergency in youth sports—not because it’s common, but because it often represents an undiagnosed heart condition,” explained Nawaf. “At Kinwell, our pre-participation exams align with the latest American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology clinical statement, using a structured 14-point history and physical—and selectively including ECG—while emphasizing shared decision-making to detect risk before it becomes life-threatening. But we don’t stop there—we also address lifestyle factors like nutrition, hydration, rest, and emotional health that influence cardiac resilience.”
What to expect
A sports physical is a simple and straightforward exam. Your Kinwell clinician will review your medical history (including vaccinations), go over any past or ongoing health concerns, and review current medications.
Nawaf noted that most health concerns affecting sports participation are identified in a detailed medical history. “I start with the patient’s story—how they train, how they recover, how they eat and sleep,” he said. “The physical exam confirms what their body is telling me, but the history reveals what their life has prepared them for. Both are essential.”
The physical examination also includes checking weight, height, blood pressure, and heart and lung sounds. “That includes cardiovascular safety, musculoskeletal readiness, and mental well-being to ensure our patients are not only ready to compete, but to thrive. We also check vision, breathing patterns, and emotional readiness—all critical for high-functioning, injury-resistant performance.”
Nutrition, preparation, and rest
The exam also gives clinicians the opportunity to discuss nutrition, conditioning, sleep, and emotional wellness with their patients. A diet that supports bones, muscles, and tendons not only improves performance, but helps the body repair itself after strenuous activity. Drinking plenty of water keeps tissues hydrated and prevents joint damage.
Much of the body’s growth and repair work happens during sleep which can also improve cognitive function, and the quick-thinking many sports require. “Hydration, sleep, and recovery time are the pillars of performance,” said Nawaf. “I remind every patient that rest isn’t the opposite of training—it’s part of it.”
Schedule an exam
To participate in after-school sports at any school that is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), students must observe eligibility requirements. WIAA has forms to be completed by a healthcare provider attesting to a student’s physical readiness to participate in sports and noting any limitations that should be observed.
Kinwell offers sports physicals for students and adults of all ages. Established patients can schedule an exam through their MyChart account. New patients can schedule online or by calling 833-411-5469.
