As school sports seasons approach across Colorado, families begin preparing for tryouts, practices, and competitions. One of the most important — and time-sensitive — requirements for student athletes is completing a sports physical. For students participating in Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) sports, meeting physical exam requirements by the deadline is essential to avoid delays or missed opportunities.
Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine proudly supports student athletes and families throughout the Denver metro area by offering convenient, CHSAA-compliant sports physicals at locations in Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Thornton, and Westminster.
What Are Sports Physicals and Why Are They Required?
A sports physical, also known as a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE), is a medical exam designed to determine whether a student can safely participate in school sports. Physical exams are designed to thoroughly evaluate kids before they participate in sports. Unlike a routine wellness visit, a sports physical focuses on identifying health conditions that may increase the risk of injury or illness during athletic activity.
During a sports physical, providers review:
Your child’s medical history and past injuries
Heart health and family cardiac history
Lung and breathing conditions, such as asthma
Joint strength, flexibility, and stability
Height, weight, blood pressure, and vision
History of concussions or head injuries
Symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, or if the child has ever felt dizzy during exercise
Providers evaluate your child’s overall health and readiness for sports participation. It is important to record all findings and maintain an accurate record for future reference. Kids and parents are encouraged to talk openly with the provider about any health concerns or symptoms.
The goal is to promote athlete safety, not to limit participation.
CHSAA Sports Physical Requirements in Colorado
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) requires most middle school and high school athletes to complete a sports physical once per academic year in order to participate in school-sanctioned athletics.
Key CHSAA requirements include:
The physical must be completed before the first official practice
The exam must be performed by a licensed medical provider
The CHSAA Physical Examination Form must be fully completed and signed by the provider
Schools must have the form on file before participation is allowed
Schools require students to complete a physical before participating in athletics, and a child’s school or sports league may have additional requirements for eligibility. CHSAA membership helps set these requirements and supports interscholastic activities across Colorado.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in missed tryouts, delayed practices, or ineligibility for competition.
CHSAA Sports Physical Deadlines: What Families Need to Know
CHSAA does not publish one universal deadline for all sports. Instead, deadlines are determined by individual schools and the start of each athletic season. Fall sports typically have the earliest deadlines, often before the school year begins. It is important to complete sports physicals before the new academic year starts to ensure your student is eligible for school enrollment and sports participation.
Common challenges families face include:
Limited appointment availability with primary care providers
Expired physicals from the previous school year
Lost or incomplete paperwork
Short notice before tryouts
When time is limited, urgent care clinics offer a fast and reliable solution with a range of services, including sports physicals, and families can simply walk in for these services.
Importance of Medical History in Sports Physicals
A detailed review of your child’s medical history is a vital part of every sports physical. When your child visits a doctor’s office, the provider will ask about any previous illnesses, injuries, or ongoing health concerns—such as asthma, allergies, or past hospitalizations—that could impact their ability to safely participate in sports. The provider will also discuss your child’s family medical history, including any history of heart disease or other conditions that might increase the risk of injury or illness during physical activity.
Understanding both your child’s personal and family medical history allows the provider to identify potential health risks and tailor the physical examination to your child’s unique needs. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that any underlying issues are addressed before your child begins a new sports season, supporting their health and safety on and off the field.
What to Expect During a Sports Physical Exam
During a sports physical exam, your child will undergo a thorough physical examination designed to assess their readiness for athletic participation. The provider will start by checking vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, to ensure your child’s cardiovascular health is in good shape. Vision will be evaluated to confirm your child can see clearly during play, and the provider will examine joints, flexibility, and posture to identify any areas of weakness or instability.
The provider will also review your child’s medical history, asking about any previous injuries, illnesses, or symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy during exercise. Depending on your child’s history or any current concerns, additional tests—like a lung function test or a more detailed heart exam—may be performed. This comprehensive evaluation helps the provider identify any potential health concerns and offer guidance on injury prevention, so your child can stay healthy and active throughout the sports season.
Can Urgent Care Do CHSAA Sports Physicals?
Yes. Urgent care clinics can perform CHSAA-approved sports physicals, and providers are experienced in completing the required forms correctly.
At Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine, our licensed medical providers routinely perform sports physicals and understand Colorado school and CHSAA requirements. We are committed to providing quality care to all patients, ensuring each individual receives compassionate and professional service. Using urgent care for sports physicals offers several benefits:
Walk-in availability with no long wait for appointments
Evening and weekend hours
Faster access during peak sports seasons
Comprehensive physical exams provided by experienced staff
If any concerns are identified during the physical exam, our providers may suggest follow-up or additional care to ensure your child’s health and safety.
Sports Physicals at Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine
Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine provides sports physicals for student athletes of all ages, making it easy for families to meet school athletic requirements without delays. We are dedicated to serving our local community by offering accessible, timely, and comprehensive healthcare services, including sports physicals and urgent care.
We offer sports physicals and camp physicals for children attending summer camps at our conveniently located clinics in:
Brighton
Broomfield
Aurora
Thornton
Westminster
Our clinics are open seven days a week with extended hours, allowing families to fit sports physicals into busy schedules.
What to Bring to a Sports Physical at Urgent Care
To help your visit go smoothly, please bring:
The CHSAA Physical Examination Form, completed by a parent or guardian if required
A list of current medications and allergies
Information about prior injuries or concussions
Glasses or contact lenses if the student wears them
A record of immunizations and previous physical exams, if available
Some schools accept electronic forms, while others require paper copies. Always confirm your school’s submission requirements.
Sports Physicals vs. Annual Wellness Visits
While both are important, sports physicals and annual wellness visits are types of physical exams that serve different purposes.
A sports physical:
Clears a student for athletic participation
Screens for sports-related risks
Meets CHSAA and school requirements
An annual wellness visit:
Focuses on overall growth and development
Includes immunizations and preventive screenings
Establishes ongoing primary care
Sports physicals at urgent care are a convenient way to meet athletic requirements, even if your child already sees a primary care provider. Our urgent care clinics offer a full range of services, including sports physicals and school physicals, to meet your family’s healthcare needs. (Students would need to see a primary care provider to complete their annual wellness exam.)
Why Sports Physicals Are Important for Athlete Safety
Sports physicals help evaluate all major body systems to identify medical conditions that could lead to serious complications if left unrecognized, including:
Heart conditions associated with sudden cardiac events
Breathing problems that worsen with exertion
Joint instability or prior injuries that increase risk
History of concussions requiring additional monitoring
Examination of the throat and other areas to detect potential health issues
Early detection allows providers to recommend precautions, treatment, or follow-up care to keep athletes safe.
Using Urgent Care for School Athletic Requirements
In addition to sports physicals, Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine provides comprehensive services to patients, ensuring individualized and compassionate care for athletes and their families. Our urgent care supports student athletes throughout the season by providing care for:
Sports injuries and fractures
Concussions and head injuries
Sprains, strains, and overuse injuries
Illnesses that may affect athletic participation
Urgent care offers a convenient alternative to emergency rooms for non-life-threatening sports-related needs.
When Should You Schedule a Sports Physical?
The best time to schedule a sports physical is several weeks before the season begins, but urgent care is ideal when deadlines are approaching.
Peak times include:
Late summer for fall sports
Early winter for basketball and wrestling
Spring for soccer, track, and lacrosse
Late spring/early summer for camp physicals
Walk-in availability ensures athletes aren’t sidelined due to last-minute paperwork, and families can simply walk in for last-minute physicals.
Common Questions About Sports Physicals
Parents and students often have questions about the sports physical process. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns:
What is the purpose of a sports physical?A sports physical is designed to determine if a student can safely participate in sports by identifying any health risks or conditions that could affect their performance or safety.
How long does a sports physical typically take?Most sports physicals take about 20–30 minutes, depending on your child’s medical history and any additional tests the provider may need to perform.
What types of tests are performed during a sports physical?The exam usually includes checking vital signs, vision, joint flexibility, and a review of medical history. Additional tests may be done if there are specific concerns, such as asthma or a history of chest pain.
Do I need to fill out any forms before the exam?Yes, most schools and sports leagues, including the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), require a completed physical examination form. It’s best to fill out your portion in advance and bring it to the clinic.
Can I get a sports physical at my child’s school or do I need to go to a clinic?Some schools offer on-site physicals, but many families choose to visit a clinic like Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine for convenience, flexible hours, and quick service.
Are sports physicals required for all sports and activities?Most schools and sports leagues, including those governed by the high school activities association, require students to undergo a sports physical before participating in athletic programs.
How much does a sports physical cost?Costs can vary, but urgent care clinics typically offer affordable pricing and accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare.
By understanding what to expect and the requirements set by organizations like CHSAA, families can ensure their students are ready to participate in sports safely and on time.
Final Thoughts: Sports Physicals Made Easy at Advanced Urgent Care
Meeting CHSAA sports physical requirements is an essential step for student athletes across Colorado. Physicals may also be required for participation in music, student council, and other extracurricular activities sponsored by CHSAA. With multiple locations, extended hours, and walk-in availability, Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine makes it easy for families in Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Thornton, and Westminster to complete sports physicals on time.
If your student athlete needs a sports physical to meet school or CHSAA requirements, visit Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine today and get cleared to play with confidence. For more information about sports physicals and their importance, visit the Mayo Clinic.