The Dallas County Health Department is reminding student athletes to schedule a sports physical before their season starts. 

The Iowa Athletic Union requires each student in seventh through twelfth grade to present a pre-participation physical exam form completed to the superintendent that is signed by a licensed physician before engaging in athletic competition. Health Navigation Coordinator Ann Cochran says ideally someone should attend a clinic they are familiar with. 

“Best thing to do is call the clinic that your child usually goes to. They’ve got all your child’s medical records so you can get in, get that sports physical, and then they can also pay attention to things like, ‘Oh, your child never got that vaccine or never got this that we wanted them to pay attention to. So the best thing is to go to your own clinic where you know where you typically go.”

She says to call the Dallas County Health Department’s number for recommendations.