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Research

AQ improves and extends life

The first research results on AQ have been published. NTNU's research shows that earning AQ can prevent both cancer and heart disease.

NTNU-professor Ulrik Wisløff ser AQ i Mia Health-appen
Join NTNU professor Ulrik Wisløff and measure your AQ with the Mia Health app.

It's almost a year since we launched AQ - the world's most accurate measure of the health effects of physical activity. Along with a promise of great health benefits by using our app and staying above 25 AQ. Or preferably 100.

Earlier this year, the first results we've been promoting were finally published in a scientific journal - the highly regarded Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. So now we can state unequivocally that AQ can prevent serious illness and early death.

How the research was conducted

  1. Between 1994 and 2017, more than half a million people took part in a large population survey. They measured their height, weight, blood pressure, took blood samples and answered questions about their own health. They also reported how physically active they were.
  2. The NTNU researchers calculated the AQ for all participants and placed them in groups from 0 AQ (inactive) all the way up to >200 AQ.
  3. They then found out who of the participants had died by 2021, and what they died of.
  4. Finally, the NTNU researchers analyzed whether the risk of dying from various diseases was related to the level of AQ.

What the analysis showed

  1. People who earned at least 100 AQ lived on average five years longer than those who were inactive.
  2. The risk of dying early was greatly reduced for both genders and in all age groups if you earned at least 100 AQ. The effect was most pronounced for the elderly, where 100 AQ reduced the risk by 30-35%.
  3. For those with 100 AQ, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was reduced by around 30%. The risk of dying from cancer was about 20% lower with 100 AQ.
  4. Participants earning 25-50 AQ could expect around half the health benefits of 100 AQ, while those earning 50-100 AQ achieved around 80% of the full health benefits.
  5. There was no clear evidence that even higher activity levels than 100 AQ reduced health risks even more.
  6. Even for those who smoked, were overweight, had diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, 100 AQ was the optimal activity level.

Many people who are physically active also live healthier lives in other areas, so it's not unnatural that they live longer and escape diseases - without necessarily giving AQ the credit. But since all the analyses in the study were carefully adjusted for such differences between active and inactive people, all indications are that it is AQ itself that extends and improves life.

AQ is a superb activity standard

The conclusion is the same as it has been since AQ was introduced in the Mia Health app last year. But now we can also back it up with the first tangible evidence from research:

AQ is an excellent activity standard for men and women of all ages, including those at increased risk of lifestyle diseases. Any AQ goal from 25 upwards is great, and for maximum effect you can work to stay above 100 AQ.

And to measure your AQ, you need the Mia Health app.

Reference:

Wai, J. P. M., Wen, C. P., Tsai, M. K., Chen, C. H., Lee, J. H., Chu, T. W. D., Chiou, H. Y., Wen, C., Tari, A. R., Wisløff, U., & Nauman, J. (2025). Association between activity quotient and cause-specific mortality-A prospective cohort study of 0.5 million participants in Asia.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.