Pre-Participation Sports Physicals: Understanding the Hidden Risks in a Post-COVID World
Originally published: 2025-04-15
A Time to Reassess
Let me preface what you are about to read with this: I am not telling you that you shouldn't perform pre-participation sports physicals. What I am telling you is that the risk landscape has changed—dramatically—and that you must fully understand the implications, both for the child and for yourself.
Why Are These Exams Even Required?
The real reason pre-participation sports physicals are required isn't just about checking boxes—it’s about detecting cardiovascular abnormalities that could lead to sudden cardiac death on the field.
And in a post-COVID world, the concern has intensified.
Spike Protein, COVID, and the Rising Tide of Cardiovascular Risk
The population most often seen for sports physicals—teenagers and adolescents—are among the groups increasingly affected by post-COVID cardiovascular complications. Whether through natural infection or vaccination, spike protein exposure has been implicated in myocarditis, pericarditis, arrhythmias, and other cardiac abnormalities.
"You are not just screening a healthy child anymore—you may be screening a child with subclinical, spike-protein-induced cardiac injury."
If you're not trained or equipped to detect these subtle and potentially fatal changes, your liability increases exponentially. The margin for error is shrinking, and your clinical license is on the line.
Are You Truly Qualified?
Only you can answer the following:
Were you adequately trained in cardiovascular auscultation, EKG interpretation, and differential diagnosis?
Are you up to date on the latest post-COVID cardiac risks in pediatric populations?
Do you know how to identify red flags like chest pain on exertion, unexplained syncope, or irregular pulse rhythms?
If not, then ask yourself this next question:
Why are you bringing that risk into your life, your practice, and your family’s future?
The Legal Fallout of a Missed Diagnosis
Imagine you're the provider who cleared a child for sports. They collapse on the field weeks later. Their autopsy reveals undiagnosed myocarditis or a spike protein-related cardiac condition.
"You didn't cause the death—but you said they were safe. And that’s enough for you to get blamed."
Malpractice suits don’t require malice or intent—just a misstep in judgment or standard of care. And the fallout? Financial ruin. Professional suspension. Public scrutiny. Personal devastation.
The Safer Path Forward
If you feel compelled to serve your community, do so by staying in your lane. Perform a chiropractic spinal evaluation. Check for vertebral subluxation. Make your care recommendations. But when it comes to cardiovascular clearance for sports, let the child’s pediatrician or a properly trained medical provider handle that part of the exam.
"This is not about avoiding responsibility—it’s about practicing within your scope and protecting your patients, your license, and your life."
A Final Word on Risk Management
At ChiroFutures, we’ve been on the forefront of post-COVID risk analysis. We’ve published articles, hosted webinars, and provided fact sheets on the emerging concerns related to spike protein, mRNA shots, and sudden cardiac events.
Our Members Only section includes specific guidance on navigating care in this new era. Unlike other malpractice providers, we’ve been alerting the profession about these issues since the beginning of the pandemic.
