NTNU Researchers Urge 30-Minute Exercise Shift, Backing 25-Point AQ Threshold
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · May 29
NTNU Researchers Urge 30-Minute Exercise Shift, Backing 25-Point AQ Threshold
1 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · May 29
NTNU researchers say health guidelines should put far more weight on intensity, arguing that about 30 minutes of high-intensity exercise a week can deliver meaningful health gains.
85% of maximum heart rate is the target benchmark, with sessions best spread across two to four days because the blood-pressure and blood-sugar benefits of a hard workout can last 24 to 48 hours.
25 AQ points a week marks a level linked to significantly lower lifestyle-disease risk, while 100 points or more brings the greatest benefits under the new heart-rate-based Activity Quotient system.
500,000 participants in a 2025 cohort study showed higher AQ scores tracked with better cardiovascular fitness and health outcomes, reinforcing earlier findings that strong cardio fitness cuts premature-death risk by 40% to 50%.
Wisløff and Atefe R. Tari say Norway could use its long-running health databases to test micro-workout policies nationally, framing the shift as a potential cross-party public-health initiative.
Can 30 minutes of intense weekly exercise truly replace longer workouts for overall health and longevity?
Beyond heart health, do 'micro workouts' neglect crucial fitness components like muscle strength and flexibility?
If intense 'micro workouts' become the new standard, what are the hidden injury risks for sedentary people?
From VO2 Max to AQ: NTNU’s Science-Backed Shift to Intensity-Driven, Time-Efficient Exercise for Better Health
Overview
In May 2026, NTNU researchers led by Professor Ulrik Wisløff and Dr. Atefe R. Tari introduced new exercise recommendations that challenge traditional views and call for a major shift in how we think about physical activity. These recommendations are based on decades of rigorous research, including large studies like Generation 100 and the HUNT studies. The research consistently shows that exercise intensity is more important than duration or frequency for improving health. This evidence supports NTNU’s call for a new approach to exercise, focusing on short, intense activity to achieve better health outcomes.