Sports medicine doctor – consultation for children and teenagers

A consultation with a sports medicine doctor is intended for children and young people involved in sports – whether through sports clubs, sports classes or schools, or during camps and sports holidays.

Its purpose is to assess a child’s or teenager’s fitness to engage in sporting activities such as running, aikido, gymnastics, horse riding, cycling, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, ice skating, football, volleyball, skiing, tennis, wrestling, sailing, and winter sports.

This consultation is also available to those who require a certificate or a medical opinion stating there are no contraindications, or other documentation necessary for practising a particular sport.

It is advisable to book a consultation before the onset of the training, during regular practising of sport, or following an injury or a break from physical activity.

The sports medicine doctor sees patients up to 18 years of age.

Scope of consultation

As part of the consultation, the doctor will:

• take a medical history,
• perform a physical examination: assessing the musculoskeletal, respiratory and circulatory systems,
• check visual acuity,
• order additional tests if necessary,
• exclude any contraindications for participating in a given sport,
• determine eligibility for specific sports disciplines,
• provide advice on health prevention and the development of safe training habits to help avoid injuries and strain on the musculoskeletal system.

Additionally, during the consultation, the doctor may:

• prescribe medication,
• issue a medical certificate of absence,
• refer the patient for hospital treatment.

How to prepare for the appointment

Before the consultation, it is advisable to gather any existing medical records to help the doctor make an accurate assessment of the patient's health. The more information provided about past illnesses, treatments, and general health, the more precise the decision on fitness for sport will be.

You should bring the following to your appointment:

• vaccination record,
• hospital discharge summaries, if applicable,
• test results, e.g. ECG, blood count, ultrasound – if available,
• information from specialist doctors, if the patient has been treated in specialist clinics.

It is best to arrive 15 minutes early for the appointment to allow time for an ECG.

Patients under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the initial consultation.