Research has shown that exercise improves cognitive function and psychological traits that influence behavior (e.g., mood, level of motivation). The evidence in the literature also shows that physical education may enhance learning or that academic performance is at least maintained despite a reduction in classroom time in order to increase time in physical education. Most schools today base their curricular and budgetary decisions on achievement tests that do not include content from physical education. Defenders of physical education have focused mostly on the health and fitness benefits, but placing a greater emphasis on the effects of exercise and physical education on academic performance may serve as a better rationale for keeping or increasing physical education programming. The purpose of this article is to review the basic scientific findings and to suggest how this information might be used to defend the role of physical education in schools.