The following is a press release issued by Adventist Health Ukiah Valley:
The increase in sudden cardiac arrests in student athletes in recent years has highlighted the challenges and risks for students playing sports and the importance of sports physicals.
These are just one of the many reasons Adventist Health Ukiah Valley holds their Free Sports Physicals and Back to School Fair event every year. Ukiah Valley’s clinic providers will be volunteering their time to provide this much-needed service to students and their families on Saturday, July 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Family Medicine Residency Clinic located at 260 Hospital Drive, Suite 103 in Ukiah. The Back-to-School Fair will be happening at the same time offering free backpacks and school supplies to students and their families.
A sports physical is required by California schools before a child can join in any school sports and is aimed to find problems that might pose a health hazard — such as a hernia, untreated asthma, an undiagnosed heart condition or concussion injury.
For local sports medicine physician Brian Gould, DO, these exams are also an opportunity to make sure students are generally healthy and don’t have underlying conditions that will prevent them from participating in sports.
“It’s important especially for those who are first time athletes. During these exams, we ask screening questions to help us identify potential health issues that may predispose athletes to injuries and/or catastrophic medical events during physical activity. The goal of these exams is to ensure the athlete can participate safely and facilitate any additional workup necessary to be safe on the playing field. Occasionally we discover conditions that would have never been diagnosed otherwise,” Dr. Gould explains.
This year, screenings will also include an Electrocardiogram screening (also commonly referred to as an EKG), a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart to help identify an individual’s risk for sudden cardiac death. Although rare, sudden cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death in young athletes. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical abnormality in the heart creates an irregular heartbeat, disrupting the heart’s pumping action.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend a thorough medical history, physical examination, along with an ECG to screen those who may be at risk for sudden cardiac arrests.
Additionally, since the costs of getting ready for school can add up, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley started offering free sports physicals four years ago, in line with its mission of inspiring health, wholeness and hope and responding to the needs of the community.
David Leighton, administrator for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, recognizes the importance of keeping children active and healthy and giving them the opportunity to excel in sports. He explains, “Childhood obesity is a significant issue in Mendocino County and our team is committed to helping address this. We certainly don’t want the cost of a sports physical to be a barrier to anyone who desires an active lifestyle for their children by participating in school sports.”
Along these lines, the hospital is also offering other free health screenings, and resources through a Back-to-School Fair to help students and their families with the cost of preparing for the school year. The hospital has partnered with other local organizations and businesses to offer free vaccinations, diabetes screenings, backpacks and school supplies on July 13, at the same time and location.
