From the Guidelines
The NCAA requires all student-athletes to complete a comprehensive sports physical examination before participating in collegiate athletics, which must include a medical history review, physical examination, and specific cardiac screening, as mandated by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports 1. The physical examination should be conducted by a qualified physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, and must be completed within six months prior to the student-athlete's first practice session. The examination should assess:
- Vital signs
- Vision
- Cardiovascular health
- Respiratory function
- Musculoskeletal condition
- Neurological status Specifically, the cardiac screening must include:
- A detailed personal and family history
- Physical examination
- Consideration of an electrocardiogram (ECG) based on risk factors, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) 1 Student-athletes must also provide documentation of:
- Sickle cell trait status
- Immunization records (particularly for measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B)
- Concussion history Annual follow-up examinations are required for continuing student-athletes, though these may be less comprehensive than the initial evaluation. These requirements exist to identify pre-existing medical conditions that might increase the risk of injury or sudden death during athletic participation, ensuring student-athletes can safely compete in their chosen sports, as emphasized by the AHA recommendations 1.
From the Research
NCAA Requirements for Sports Physical
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on performance-enhancing substances, ergogenic aids, and supplements, as well as their effects on athletes and anti-doping policies.
- The studies provided discuss the use of performance-enhancing substances, their effects, and the risks associated with them 2, 3, 4.
- Some studies review the efficacy and safety of certain supplements, such as creatine, beta-alanine, and protein 5.
- Another study examines anti-doping policy and therapeutic use exemptions in athletes with asthma 6.
- However, none of the studies address the specific requirements for sports physicals in the NCAA.