ADOLESCENCE
Screening
and Assessment
 If
an adolescent wants to participate in a sports program, a preparticipation
physical examination may be useful. In addition to the screening
and assessment guidelines that follow, health professionals can
refer to resources such as a preparticipation physical evaluation.8
-
Obtain
a complete medical history of the adolescent, including
(1)
history of previous injuries and hospitalizations, (2)
family history of sudden cardiac death, and (3) history
of dizziness
or fainting during or after physical activity.8 You
may want to inquire about conditions affecting sports participation.9
-
Measure
the adolescent's height and weight, and plot these on a
standard growth chart (see Tool H: CDC
Growth Charts). Deviation from the expected growth pattern
(e.g., a major change in growth percentiles on the chart)
should be evaluated. This may be normal or may indicate a
problem (e.g., difficulties with eating).
-
Height
and weight measurements provide reliable indicators of
nutrition
and health status. Changes in weight reflect an adolescent's
short-term nutrition intake and serve as general indicators
of nutrition status and overall health. Low height-for-age
may reflect long-term, cumulative nutrition or health problems.
-
Body
mass index (BMI) can be used as a screening tool to determine
nutrition status and overall health. Calculate the
adolescent's BMI by dividing weight by the square of height
(kg/m2) or by referring to a BMI chart. Compare the BMI to
the norms listed for the adolescent's sex and age on the
chart. (See
the Obesity chapter.)
-
Some
adolescents have a high BMI because of a large, lean body
mass resulting
from physical activity, high muscularity, or frame size.
An elevated triceps skinfold (i.e., above the 95 percentile
on CDC growth charts) can confirm excess body fat in adolescents.
-
Assess
the adolescent's general health status, including medical
conditions
and recent illnesses. Assess the adolescent's cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and musculoskeletal systems. Obtain the adolescent's
blood pressure.
-
Determine
whether the adolescent is taking any medications.
-
Assess
the onset of menarche.
-
Assess
the adolescent's physical maturity.
-
Assess
the adolescent's level of physical activity by
-
Determining
how much physical activity the adolescent participates
in on a weekly basis.
-
If possible,
evaluating how the adolescent's physical fitness compares
to national standards (e.g., by reviewing the results
of the adolescent's President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports test).
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