Not based on anything else about his health or history, as far as I know, just a general requirement. There must be a reason though, right? Any ideas what it is?
To see if he has the Sickle Cell trait?
As then there’s a chance that the exercise/excretion could have potentially damaging or lethal consequences if he has a complication during practice or a game due to the Sickle Cell.
It’s one of those things that it’s just good to check for ahead of time especially in Athletes so that the school can be prepared about it.
Having sickle-cell trait affects the amount of oxygen to the body’s tissues.
The heat and exertion can kill a player, and actually has.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-04-sickle-cell-trait_N.htm
We all know (I hope) that Sickle Cell Disease (i.e. two bad genes) leads to all type of complications, even spontaneously.
What is less appreciated is that people with Sickle Cell Trait (i.e. only one bad gene) have a very high rate of serious, sometimes lethal, complications as a result of vigorous exercise. Here is a very informative link on the subject.
Very interesting. Thank you, all!