JOURNAL SPORTS

There was unusual early-morning activity locally last Saturday. Nearly 900 high schoolers were up and out the door, not a typical Saturday morning in a teen’s life.

They took part in Willis Knighton Sports Medicine’s annual physicals for high school athletes.

Physicals were given to 894 student athletes last Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at WK Eye Institute in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.

An annual physical is required by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for student-athletes to participate in sports, said Brian Rocket, head athletic trainer for Willis Knighton Sports Medicine.

“We provide this service annually as an example of our commitment to our athletes, their families and coaches,” said Rocket.

For more than 22 years, Willis Knighton Sports medicine has offered the physicals to its client schools and other high schools in the community that do not have a sports medicine provider.

As the exclusive provider of sports medicine services for all the high schools in Caddo Parish and several of the high schools in Bossier Parish, the medical staff in the Willis Knighton Sports Medicine program is committed to ensuring the health and safety of the student-athletes.

Forty-seven healthcare providers including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical and occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants and athletic trainers conducted the screenings.

The annual physical includes a review of the student-athletes’ personal and family medical history, a musculoskeletal screening examination, and a cardiopulmonary screening examination to identify signs and symptoms suggestive of medical conditions and disorders that would preclude participation in sports and warrant further medical evaluation and/or management.

Pre-participation screening examinations are a vital component of the practice of sports medicine and enable Willis Knighton providers to promote the health and safety of local student-athletes.