To help athletes and families prepare for the 2019-2020 sports season, McLaren Caro Region hosted student athletes for their annual $10 sports physicals at 3 different locations – Caro High School, our Caro clinic at 220 E. Frank Street, and our Vassar clinic at 201 W. Huron Avenue.
96 total physicals were given - 88 students from Caro, 2 from Akron-Fairgrove, 3 from Vassar, 1 from Kingston, 1 from Cass City, and 1 from St. Paul Millington. $5 from every physical was donated back to the school’s athletic department, totaling a $480 donation to the 6 area athletic departments.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) mandates that all student athletes have an annual physical prior to participation in athletics to improve safety. A sports physical is an important first step toward making sure a child is ready for the physical activity ahead and to raise awareness of any issues that may interfere with a child’s ability to participate in a sport.
A standard sports physical includes an examination of their vitals including blood pressure and pulse, while also documenting weight and height increases as growth spurts can place added stress on joints, muscles and bones. Patients receive a fitness check of the cardiovascular system, heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat. The health care provider also tests the child’s joints and flexibility to identify areas susceptible to injury and potentially provide recommendations to avoid injury.
“We are happy to be able to provide this service to our athletes and our community,” said Deidre Bringold, Director of Nursing at McLaren Caro Region. “We encourage our student athletes to take advantage of this opportunity so that they are prepared for all sports this upcoming school year. We have been doing this for many years and we were excited to add a date right at Caro schools this year!” If you would like to schedule a provider to come to your school next year, please contact (989) 672-5101.