The main difference between a physical and a sports physical is that a regular physical examination is much broader and more comprehensive, while sports physicals concentrate on health issues pertaining to the individual’s participation in an athletic activity. As such, a regular physical will likely consist of the same medical history review and physical examinations as a sports physical, in addition to such things as the following: - Adolescent issues - Behavioral and developmental screening, if necessary - Immunizations - Laboratory tests, if necessary - Preventive health - Sexual health With that being said, a regular physical does not focus on whether a person can safely participate in a particular athletic activity but is instead focused on any health concerns affecting the individual presently or potentially in the future.