Sports physicals protect student health and safety
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
3 of 3 free articles.
ST. IGNATIUS — Before Nicholas Gillingham can run onto the field for football practice, he must first recite this string of words: elbow, apple, carpet, saddle and bubble. After completing this Gillingham must then recite the months of year backwards after standing on one foot and touching his nose with the opposite finger. This test does not determine whether he will be a starter, but it determines whether he can return to play if he were to sustain a concussion during a game.
Athletic trainer Tasha Richardson from Missoula Bone and Joint believes this test is important because in the past, athletes who had concussions would get a second concussion, which can result in severe brain damage.
“With this test we know where they are at cognitively,” Richardson said. “We now have a baseline.”
Richardson was at the St. Ignatius football practice conducting tests that included strength, balance, sensation and concentration. Richardson started out the test by asking athletes the date, month and year. She then had them do jumping jacks, sit ups and push ups along with remembering a series of words and numbers.
This is the second year that St. Ignatius has required football players to complete the concussion testing and physical.
The testing is not required but Pule said the district offers the service in order to further protect their students.
According to Athletic Director Alan Pule, tests such as the concussion test, in addition to the standard sports physical required of all athletes, is integral to student health and safety.
“It (sports physicals) create an awareness for parents about their child’s health history,” Pule said. “It also makes coaches aware of problems,” he said and added that information collected at physicals is then given to coaches.
However, Pule added that physicals are not designed to be a “catch all.”
Pule said as Athletic Director he has to go back and re-check every single form and make sure it is signed by a parent. He reminded parents to make sure they sign every form.
“Having an unsigned physical is like no physical at all,” Pule said.
A sports physical is an exam that helps determine whether it is safe for a student to participate in a particular sport. The exam is comprised of two parts, a medical history and a physical exam.
During a regular physical exam the doctor usually records height and weight, takes blood pressure and pulse readings, tests vision, checks the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat and posture, joints, strength and flexibility.
The medical part of the exam has questions concerning family history of illnesses, previous surgeries or hospitalizations, medications and allergies.
The Montana High School Association requires that each student have a physical exam prior to his or her first practice. Since 2009, exams include information about cardiac history and cardiac health.
In a letter sent out by Executive Director Michael Beckman to parents and medical professional, he wrote, “the MHSA is committed to the safety and health of our student activity participants and believes this new form will facilitate that new objective.”
“There’s been so many issues with heart problems going undetected in physicals,” Pule said. “Sports physicals are just a way to protect schools, parents and students.”
