The "tunnel shower" was a design to quickly shower down large numbers of PE students yet not require large amounts of locker room space. The exiting line of students provided an efficient system to take shower attendance and towel issuance.
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Many schools emphasized cleanliness for all students before entering the swimming pool. Several authors have described their experience as freshmen entering the pool for their required PE swimming class. A soap shower, a walk through foot trays containing disinfectant solution, then a march through this "under carriage spray" assured that they would pass hygiene inspection prior to participating in the nude swimming class activity.
This high school yearbook posted photos of the daily PE classes. Poor images but should bring back memories of being either a student or PE teacher. Note there are 7 vertical rows indicating the 7 class periods. There were probably 2 PE teachers, one having the boys on the left and the other on the right. The school where I taught had between 12 to 16 boys in each class and only 4 classes per day, but the photo reminds me of my student teaching year where 30+ was the norm. It was impossible to accomplish what was expected of a teacher (particularly a student teacher) in the 55 minute class period. 5 minutes after the final bell we had to take attendance and check uniforms, including jock checks (and included cup checks at schools which required them). Then have the class do 5 to 10 minutes of calisthenics, followed by the daily activity of basketball, touch football tumbling, wrestling, pyramids etc. Warm weather meant track activity such as running springs, hurdles and high
With many schools starting now, the trip to the stores for school supplies is in full swing. Just a couple of decades ago, that also meant buying physical education uniforms. Some grade schools required showers and PE uniforms (including jockstraps) for boys starting in 4th grade ( 9 years old). Here are some school supply lists from a bygone era: Any memories fellers?
Judging by hairstyle this looks like some recruits enjoying some exercise. PT Instructor seems to be doing a good job in getting the legs held at 6" above the floor. I can almost hear the orders: "Raise em..Spread em..Together..Spread em again. Ah. the weight of combat boots Anyone have ideas regarding the water on the floor? Too much to be sweat. Besides the recruits have doffed their BDU shirts and their trousers are unbloused. They simply look too comfortable for having endured a sweat-down party. Note: The second photo is poor in quality but should bring memories of doing the leg lifts in school PE classes.
Having posted numerous images relating to proper attire for PE class, perhaps it is time to start posting more images of PE class activities. This image appears to be middle school or junior high school students getting a little exercise by running in place. The athletic field certinly doesn't appear to be well manicured. They don't appear to be working that hard as none of them are raising their legs to knee level which is often considered proper calisthenic form.