Let me preface this by saying that I did some gymnastics in school and my daughters did a lot and were pretty good at gymnastics. I'll add that we all know guys like the flexibility of girls who are gymnasts. 😁 😁 😁Next, let me say that people inclined to do sports will do sports whether or not they are forced to do it in school and people who are not inclined to do sports and/or do not like gym classes, will not do sports on their own regardless of the type of gym classes they have.Having said that, I agree with those who have said that gym class should be nothing more than an elective or recess or a break from real didactic studies.It was President Kennedy that drove the physical education/gym class craze in American schools during the Cold War in the early 1960s so we would have an army in good physical shape.
Next, let me say that people inclined to do sports will do sports whether or not they are forced to do it in school and people who are not inclined to do sports and/or do not like gym classes, will not do sports on their own regardless of the type of gym classes they have.It was President Kennedy that drove the physical education/gym class craze in American schools during the Cold War in the early 1960s so we would have an army in good physical shape.Yes, I remember the Kennedy era crazes percolating in society back then. No sacrifice too large to fight the dirty commies ... oh boy. Nostalgia of the worst kind.The thing about sports in school, is that they only give organized sports, team or single competitive sports. It always seems to end up being some sort of form of ritualized and sanitized warfare derivative. Fun in a way, but exhausting because of the never ending competition. I looked down on all of it, especially the European staple of soccer, which consists of little more than endlessly running up and down a (cold) field after a ball you will never get a chance to even kick once. And if you do by happenstance, will never be to anyone's satisfaction anyway.But when an adult I discovered the joys of mountain climbing/trekking. I never would have thought it, that I'd enjoy walking for days on end in the mountains. Of course that is never the kind of sports you will learn about in school, more's the pity, because it is not competitive but contemplative. Exactly the opposite of what any former ex-military pe teacher would advocate.
I'm from Germany and I was examined during a school examination (high school) with 2 classmates (Girls) together.But was only an eye test, hearing test, lung listening, height & weight, coordination test & we had to do sports exercisesWe only had to take off our shoes and socks