As a board-certified family physician and the Medical Director at Health Express Clinics in Lewisville, TX, I’ve worked with everyone from weekend warriors to competitive athletes. One thing I emphasize consistently: annual checkups for athletes must go beyond basic vitals.
When you’re training hard, your health needs aren’t just about staying “not sick” — they’re about optimizing your cardiovascular system, preserving joint health, and monitoring recovery capacity to prevent burnout or injury.
Let’s dive into what a comprehensive athletic physical should really include — and why these advanced tests can be game-changers for athletes of all levels.
⚠️ Why the “Basic Physical” Isn’t Enough for Athletes
A standard physical typically includes:
- Blood pressure and heart rate check
- Height, weight, and BMI
- Vision screening
- Basic musculoskeletal evaluation
- Immunizations update
That’s fine for the average adult. But for athletes? This doesn’t cover the full scope of what can make or break a season — or a career.
At Health Express Clinics, we evaluate athletes through a performance lens, focusing on:
- Cardiac risks under stress
- Joint wear and tear
- Inflammation and recovery markers
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Overtraining syndrome and fatigue
🫀 1. Cardiac Screening: The Silent Risk Every Athlete Should Know
Even young, seemingly healthy athletes can be at risk for undiagnosed heart conditions. Some, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, can remain silent until it’s too late.
What we check:
- Resting and exercise EKG for arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities
- Echocardiogram (if indicated) for structural abnormalities
- Family history screening for sudden cardiac death, inherited conditions
- High-sensitivity troponin or NT-proBNP if chest pain or abnormal fatigue is reported
At our Lewisville clinic, we’ve identified athletes with subtle EKG changes that led to early cardiology referrals and life-saving interventions.
🦴 2. Joint and Musculoskeletal Health: Preventing Overuse Injuries
Athletes are prone to repetitive stress injuries — especially in sports like soccer, CrossFit, tennis, or long-distance running. Over time, small strains become chronic conditions that limit performance and require time off.
Our musculoskeletal evaluation includes:
- Functional movement screening (FMS)
- Assessment for muscle imbalances, poor biomechanics, and core instability
- Testing of range of motion and joint laxity
- Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) if persistent pain, swelling, or stiffness is noted
We also review:
- History of sprains, tendonitis, or fractures
- Recovery protocols (e.g., rest days, physical therapy routines)
- Equipment and technique review — especially in high-impact sports
🧪 3. Recovery and Inflammation Panels: The Secret to Longevity in Sport
Training is only half the equation. Recovery — and the body’s ability to manage inflammation — determines whether that training turns into gains or injuries.
At Health Express Clinics, we offer bloodwork panels specifically for athletes, including:
Key Recovery Markers:
- CRP (C-reactive protein) – systemic inflammation
- CK (creatine kinase) – muscle breakdown
- Cortisol – stress hormone that affects muscle repair and sleep
- Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium, and Iron – vital for energy and endurance
We often detect low iron levels in female runners, or chronically elevated cortisol in CrossFit athletes with insomnia and plateaued progress.
These labs help tailor recovery protocols, including nutrition, supplementation, sleep, and workload adjustments.
🧬 4. Hormonal Balance: Optimizing Energy, Strength, and Mood
Athletes under heavy training loads can experience hormone fluctuations that impact performance, energy, and even immunity. This is especially true for:
- Female athletes with irregular cycles or RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)
- Male athletes with fatigue, low testosterone, or overtraining syndrome
We screen for:
- Testosterone (total and free)
- Estradiol (especially in females)
- Thyroid function (TSH, free T3/T4)
- DHEA and cortisol for adrenal stress
When necessary, we recommend nutrition changes, stress management strategies, or endocrinology referrals.
🥗 5. Nutrition, Hydration, and Electrolyte Testing
A surprising number of high-performing athletes are under-fueled or imbalanced in their nutrition — even when eating “clean.” At Health Express Clinics, we often uncover:
- Low sodium or potassium levels causing cramping or dizziness
- Magnesium deficiency contributing to poor sleep and delayed muscle recovery
- B12 or iron deficiency anemia in endurance athletes
What we offer:
- In-house micronutrient testing
- Nutrition consults focused on performance fueling
- Guidance on safe supplementation (especially for teens and young adults in organized sports)
🤔 Top 5 Questions Athletes Ask About Annual Checkups
1. What tests should I get in my annual athletic checkup?
Answer: Your checkup should go well beyond routine labs and vitals. A comprehensive athletic exam should include:
- Heart health screening (EKG, echo if needed)
- Inflammation & recovery labs (CRP, CK, cortisol)
- Micronutrient and iron levels
- Hormonal testing (testosterone, thyroid, adrenal function)
- Musculoskeletal evaluation for imbalances or joint strain
We tailor this to the type of sport you play, your training level, and any current or past injuries.
2. Is it necessary to do this every year if I feel fine?
Answer: Absolutely. Athletic checkups are proactive, not reactive. Many conditions — from cardiac anomalies to vitamin deficiencies — show no symptoms until performance drops or injury strikes. Yearly exams help catch problems early and optimize your training outcomes.
3. Do I need different checkups based on my sport?
Answer: Yes. A football player’s physical demands are very different from a distance swimmer’s. We consider:
- Contact sports (e.g., risk of concussion, joint stress)
- Endurance sports (e.g., electrolyte loss, energy metabolism)
- Weight-class sports (e.g., risk of RED-S or hormonal suppression)
Our evaluations are always sport-specific and goal-driven.
4. What should I tell my doctor during my checkup?
Answer: Be honest about:
- Energy levels and sleep quality
- Any recurring pain, even if it seems “manageable”
- Supplements or medications you’re taking
- Changes in mood, focus, or libido (can signal hormonal shifts)
- Your training volume, recovery routine, and upcoming competition plans
The more detailed the conversation, the more personalized your plan will be.
5. Can you help with recovery strategies too?
Answer: Yes — and we do it often. At Health Express Clinics, we help athletes create sustainable recovery plans, which might include:
- Sleep optimization and HRV tracking
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition
- Cyclic training plans to avoid overuse injuries
- Manual therapy, stretching routines, or physical therapy referrals
📍 Local Insight: DFW Athletes Are Getting Smarter About Health
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’re seeing a trend — especially among high school and college athletes, CrossFit competitors, and runners — to invest in preventive care and performance longevity.
At our Lewisville, Denton, and Carrollton clinics, we’ve:
- Partnered with local coaches and fitness communities
- Helped athletes avoid burnout through early inflammation detection
- Provided school physicals that include performance-based add-ons
🧭 How to Prepare for Your Athletic Physical
To get the most out of your checkup, we recommend:
- Bringing training logs or wearables data (like Whoop, Garmin, Apple Watch)
- Writing down any recurring symptoms, even minor ones
- Listing all supplements or vitamins you’re using
- Being open to lab testing beyond standard panels — it’s often the missing piece
🚀 Final Thoughts: Optimizing Health = Maximizing Performance
Whether you’re training for a Spartan Race, running high school track, or lifting at a competitive level, your health is your engine. Don’t settle for a basic physical that overlooks your specific needs.
At Health Express Clinics, our athlete-focused annual checkups go deeper — because we believe that true wellness means more than just “not being sick.” It means feeling strong, recovering quickly, and staying in the game.
📅 Ready to Elevate Your Game?
Take your annual physical to the next level with Health Express Clinics in Lewisville, Carrollton, or Denton, TX. Our performance-centered checkups for athletes include:
- Cardiovascular screenings
- Joint health evaluations
- Recovery and inflammation testing
- Hormone and micronutrient labs
- Personalized recommendations to keep you at your peak
Book your athlete exam today — because your body deserves more than a basic once-over.
Reviewed by Harveer Parmar, MD, Family Medicine, Health Express Clinics, Lewisville, TX.