From Sally S. Harris, M.D., MPH

My child participates in a lot of sports. Does he/she need to participate in P.E. at school?

Yes! There are several benefits of physical education that are not necessarily provided through participation in organized sports. These include education regarding the health benefits of exercise, development of a variety of motor skills, participation in activities that are sustainable throughout a lifetime and development of physical fitness. The emphasis in organized sports may not be achieving adequate fitness levels or developing well-rounded motor skills needed to participate in other physical activities.