The Army Physical Fitness Test

PT stands for "Physical Training" - "exercise" to civilians. One of the major reasons individuals engage in PT/exercise to improve physical fitness. Physical fitness consists of muscular strength/endurance, cardiovascular capacity, flexibility, and body composition.

Muscular strength is the ability to "move things." Muscular endurance is the ability to "move things repeatedly."

Cardiovascular capacity is the ability to effectively get blood to the muscles and the ability of the muscles to utilize the nutrients/oxygen in the blood.

Flexibility is the ability to move your body (the various parts/"joints") through a "normal range of motion."

Body composition consists of the percentages of the "stuff" your body is made of. Body composition is sometimes called "body fat percentage." The human body is mostly water (i.e. the main component of "lean body weight"). Lean body weight is everything that isn't fat (fat consists of a little water, but we will ignore that).

PT Tests

Members of the United State's armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) must pass a semiannual "PT test" to ensure "mission readiness."
PT Test

The Army's version of the "PT test" is the "Army Physical Fitness Test" (APFT). The APFT consists of 2 minutes push-up test, 2 minutes sit-up test, and a 2 mile run.

The Navy's PT test is the "Physical Readiness Test" (PRT). The PRT consists of a sit-reach test, 2 minute push-up and 2 minute curl-up tests, a 1.5 mile run and a 500 yard/450 meter swim.

The Air Force's PT test is a "Fitness Assessment" (FA). The FA consists of a 1.5-mile timed run, Body Mass Index, 1 minute push-up and 1 minute crunch tests.

The Marines' PT test is simply called a "Physical Fitness Test" (PFT). The PFT consists of pull-ups (un-timed), a timed flexed arm hang, 2 minutes abdominal crunches, and a 3 mile run.

All four of the services stress that their respective PT tests are "designed as a measurement of the effectiveness of the PT program. However,training should not be limited to these test activities" (AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 10-248)

"The benefits to be derived from a good physical fitness program are many. It can reduce the number of soldiers on profile and sick call, invigorate training, and enhance productivity and mental alertness. A good physical fitness program also promotes team cohesion and combat survivability. It will improve soldiers' combat readiness." (Army FM 21-20)
For the civilians/veterans

Obviously active duty members of the Armed services are compelled to take their branches PT test. Civilians and veterans can also benefit from training for and taking a PT test.
Benefits of Exercise

Hopefully "combat survivability" and "combat readiness" are two things you don't have to worry about, but there are many benefits of a regular exercise program (e.g. prevention of chronic disease, improved mood, more energy).
Weight Control

Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. However, proper nutrition and daily eating habits determine whether you will gain or lose fat. Exercise by itself will not cause you to loose weight (weight loss/gain is determined by how many calories you consume).
Bottom Line

A regular exercise program will allow you to get more enjoyment out of life. Using one of the military PT tests will allow you to determine the effectiveness of your training program.
Benefits for sports teams

After defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, The Duke of Wellington said "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." Which illustrates that sports teams share a few of the characteristics of the military (e.g. discipline, unit cohesion, esprit de corps).

The APFT (or any of the other PT tests) best "fits" (physiologically speaking) sports that are "continuous" but not "explosive." Soccer, wrestling, and baseball are a better fit than football. Basketball is a "in between" sport from a physiological standpoint, but coaching and team dynamics largely determine who wins and loses most sports games/events.

Motivation and team spirit may be the most beneficial aspect of holding a team "PT test."

A free Windows application useful for scoring and tracking APFT results (and body composition testing) is available at http://www.ptgoodforyou.com/