Researchers used the HUNT Study data to validate PAI. The HUNT Study is one of the largest health studies ever and was performed by the Nobel Prize-winning Faculty of Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. It contains a unique database of the personal and family medical histories of more than 45,000 people over 25 years.
By applying the PAI algorithm to the HUNT data, researchers were able to prove that when individuals consistently exercised at intensities equal to maintaining 100 PAI, it reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 25% and significantly reduced other lifestyle-related diseases for men and women of all ages. This also resulted in an increase in life expectancy by an average of 5 years.
The HUNT Fitness Study proves that people who consistently keep their PAI score over 100 are less at risk of hypertension, heart disease, and Type II diabetes.
50 PAI is a great goal to start with, as you will still be enjoying 60% of the health benefits with that level of activity.