School Sports Physicals - Spring Sports Are Starting Across Georgia Right Now

3 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

School students playing youth softball in Georgia during spring sports season

Across Georgia, spring sports sign-ups and practices are starting right now — soccer, baseball, track, lacrosse, and more.

That means many kids are jumping back into intense physical activity after a winter of lower activity, which can catch their bodies off guard.

Every year around this time, pediatric providers see a surge in:

Sports physical requests
Muscle strains and sprains
Breathing concerns during exercise
Questions about readiness and safety

If your child is heading back onto the field, now is the time to check a few important boxes.

Does Your Child Need a Sports Physical?

Most Georgia schools and leagues require a current sports physical before participation.

A sports physical helps make sure your child:

Is safe to participate
Has no underlying health concerns
Has asthma or allergies under control
Has had proper injury recovery from previous seasons

The Biggest Risk Right Now: Jumping Back in Too Fast

One of the most common problems pediatricians see in February and March is kids going from low activity straight into full-intensity practices. This can lead to:

Muscle strains
Shin splints
Knee pain (especially in growing kids)
Ankle sprains

Kids often feel excited and push too hard too fast — and their bodies aren’t ready yet. Even if your child is healthy, it’s an important yearly check before starting a new season.

How to Help Your Child Get Ready Safely

A few simple steps can make a big difference:

Gradually increase activity over 1–2 weeks
Stretch before and after practices
Make sure shoes and gear fit properly
Prioritize hydration (even in cooler weather)
Make sure they’re sleeping enough
For kids with asthma, make sure inhalers are up to date and available at practices