Are you primed for physical activities? You may feel so given that you have no apparent physical limitation, but you could be far from safe to engage in certain physically demanding activities. Gahanna sports physicals help establish if you are medically fit to undertake certain physical activities. Besides a physical examination, considering your medical history, and current situation, including active prescription, sports physical pays attention to your vitals. Here is a glance at the top vitals considered during a sports physical.
Pulse rate
Pulse or heart rate establishes the number of times your heart beats in a minute. The baseline is 60-100 beats per minute for a healthy individual. This rate can fluctuate in certain situations. For instance, certain medications can lower the rate, while physical activity can increase the beats per minute. The beats result from the heart pushing blood through the arteries, which causes them to expand and contract as blood flows.
Pulse rate also helps establish your pulse strength and heart rhythm. If you have a weak pulse or irregular rhythm, you may be at risk of cardiac-related concerns, which could be fatal when you stress your heart with demanding physical activities. This means the sports physical may not clear you for such activities despite feeling physically up to it.
Respiratory rate
The respiratory rate is the breaths you take per minute. The respiratory rate can be affected by concerns like a fever, stress from physical exertion, illness, or medical conditions. Physical activity can increase your risk of serious situations if you have breathing difficulties. Your respiratory system may not efficiently deliver oxygen for vital functions. Besides the increased risk of muscle injuries, you could also be at risk of fatal concerns like a stroke as the brain is deprived of oxygen.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure considers the force blood moves through the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure is at its highest when the heart contracts, called systolic pressure. It is lowest when the heart relaxes, called diastolic pressure. The blood pressure is deemed healthy when systolic pressure is 120 or lower and diastolic is 80 or less. It is elevated when systolic is 120-129 and diastolic is below 80.
Systolic at 130-139 or diastolic at 80-89 puts you at stage 1 hypertension. Systolic beyond 140 or diastolic above 90 indicates stage 2 hypertension. You may be cleared to engage in certain sports with stage 1 and 2 hypertension if you have no signs of end-organ damage. Nonetheless, hypertension could exclude you from activities that require sudden physical; bursts since the physical exertion could result in arterial rapture, stroke, or heart attack.
Body temperature
Temperature vary based on age, sex, menstrual cycle stage, recent physical activity, time of the day, and fluid or food consumption. The temperature could also indicate a fever. If you have sustained a fever, it may indicate a medical condition that must be ascertained and treated before diving into certain physical activities.
Vitals establishes your body’s most basic functions, determining if you can safely engage in sports and other physically demanding activities. Sports physicals are critical, whether as a requirement or voluntary. Visit On Time Urgent Care, LLC today for more on sports physicals.
