University Of Alabama At Birmingham Sports Medicine brings student-athlete physicals for Birmingham City Schools

Earlier this spring, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports and Exercise Medicine team, along with UAB Medicine providers and volunteers, performed pre-participation physicals for more than 1,300 student-athletes from 19 schools within the Birmingham metro area.

UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine is the official medical provider for Birmingham City Schools, providing athletic health care for all sports and student-athletes participating in middle school and high school athletics. With this partnership, UAB Sports and Exercise provides athletic training resources, performs annual physicals, and assists beyond the field of play in diagnosing and monitoring some health issues.

UAB providers, assisted by staff volunteers, performed various exams for the student-athletes, including an eye exam by UAB Eye Care, musculoskeletal exam, evaluation of cardiac and pulmonary function, and reading of standard vitals.

“Being able to provide physicals for the children who attend our prestigious city schools in the Birmingham community this year was truly an honor,” said Calvin Spellmon, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and medical director for Birmingham City Schools. “It was a pleasure getting to know the coaches and students, as well as the faculty. It was a joy to see everyone coming together to provide this service and just to be able to serve in different ways.”

These exams help student-athletes identify any health concerns that might need to be addressed and clear the way for participating in school sports. In the State of Alabama, per the Alabama High School Athletic Association, any student participating in interscholastic athletics must have a current physician’s statement certifying that the student has passed a physical exam, and that in the opinion of the examining physician (M.D. or D.O.) the student is fully able to participate.