The athletic physicals team at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital conducted physicals on 4,002 middle school and high school student-athletes in the Humble, New Caney and Sheldon school districts since it initiated on-site sports physicals in March.
In addition to physicals, electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians from Memorial Hermann Northeast administered 1,580 EKG screenings to incoming ninth-grade student-athletes.
The EKGs, which are used to detect problems with electrical activity in the heart, were read by a volunteer cardiologist from the Cardiovascular Association, P.L.L.C. affiliated with Memorial Hermann Northeast. Those requiring additional study were read by a pediatric cardiologist affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. To date, 16 EKGs revealed significant cause for additional study.
The physicals were conducted by physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann Northeast, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers and nursing students from Lone Star College-Kingwood. During a physical, student-athletes had their medical history reviewed; received a physical exam that evaluated their blood pressure, vision, heart, lungs, abdomen, ear, nose and throat; and a musculoskeletal exam that evaluated posture, joints, strength and flexibility.
Since March, the athletic physicals team conducted on-site physicals and EKG screenings at Humble, Atascocita and Summer Creek high schools in the Humble ISD; at Porter and New Caney high schools in the New Caney ISD; and at C. E. King High School in the Sheldon ISD. EKG technicians also conducted screenings at Riverwood, Creekwood and Kingwood middle schools in the Humble ISD.
The nominal fee charged for the physicals was donated directly back to each school’s athletic departments. All EKG screenings were conducted at no cost.
Physicals are required by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) for any student-athlete who wishes to participate in athletics. Results are immediately available to each student-athlete along with recommended follow-up if problems are detected.
Questions about the physicals or other screenings should be directed to the student-athlete’s coach or to the school athletic trainer.