Smartwatches have become a popular technological accessory today, due to their multiple functions and capabilities. One of the important features of them is their ability to monitor physical activity and health.
For that, different measures are used, including the Personal Activity Index (PAI: Personal Activity Intelligence). It was developed by the Norwegian company Mio Global, specialized in the manufacture of portable physical activity devices with heart rate sensors.
The PAI index was created by this company, in collaboration with researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and is based on more than 20 years of cardiovascular health research.
From this it is understood that the PAI index was not created overnight. Therefore, if you are exercising more frequently and want to understand what the PAI consists of, in this article we explain everything you need to know about this indicator.
What is the PAI Index?
The Personal Activity Index (PAI) is an indicator that is calculated using a combination of heart rate information and physical activity. It is based on a formula that takes into account age, gender, maximum heart rate and physical activity levels.
The idea behind the PAI index is to provide people with an easier way to measure physical activity and its impact on cardiovascular health. This, using heart rate sensor technology.
All of this serves to measure the intensity of physical activity rather than the number of steps taken or calories burned. The PAI Index was first released in 2016 together with the Mio Slice wearable.
The PAI is used in Smartwatches to provide an overview of a person's physical activity and health in real time.
Its importance lies in the ability of this index to provide accurate and personalized information on a person's level of physical activity. This meter can help users improve their health and well-being.
How is the PAI index measured and calculated?
The calculation of the Personal Activity Index (PAI) is based on a formula that takes into account heart rate and physical activity. The goal of the PAI is to maintain a weekly score of at least 100 to ensure good health.
To calculate PAI, the resting heart rate is first measured and the person's maximum heart rate is established. The heart rate data during physical activity is then used to calculate the PAI score.
Specifically, the data used by this function are heart rate and other personal data such as weight or gender. Therefore, the PAI is a personal index that is differentiated by the same data collected from a person who weighs 100 kg from another who weighs half.
The value resulting from monitoring is based on weekly activity, so at the end of it the tracker will give results that increase daily. The PAI value fluctuates between 0 and 125 according to the developers, Therefore, ideally, a value equal to or greater than 100 should be achieved.
How does the PAI index work on Smartbands and SmartWatches?
Smartbands and SmartWatches that incorporate the PAI index use sensors to measure heart rate and other physical data. From these data, the device calculates the PAI index, which is based on different variables, described above.
The algorithm assigns a numerical value to physical activity, in the range of 0 to 100. The goal is to maintain a value of at least 100, indicating that enough physical activity has been done to maintain good health.
This is updated in real time, which means that users can monitor their progress and make adjustments to their daily activity to reach their goal.
EPI Compatible Models
Mio Slice was the first device to incorporate the PAI index and is specifically designed for monitoring the PAI index.
Then there's the Amazfit Verge Lite, which also supports the PAI index and has a wide range of features for fitness tracking.
The Mobvoi-branded TicWatch Pro 3 also supports the PAI index and has a variety of features for fitness tracking, such as heart rate and sleep tracking. In addition, it includes GPS.
We could not fail to mention the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro, which is also compatible with the PAI index. It has a step counter, GPS and various sensors including accelerometer, gyroscope and GPS. These variables are ideal if you like to walk and exercise outdoors.
It is important to note that not all Smartbands and Smartwatches have the PAI index function, so you should check its compatibility before purchasing the device.
PAI benefits for users
The PAI index is a simple and easy-to-understand measure of daily physical activity, which makes it easy to track. All of this boosts your motivation if you want and need to maintain an active lifestyle.
This indicator adapts to your age, gender and resting heart rate, which means it can be used by people of different ages and fitness levels.
In addition, the objective of this indicator is to maintain a value of at least 100 points, which means that users can customize their fitness goal, to maintain good cardiovascular health.
In the same way, this indicator allows you to have details of your daily exercise routines, which helps to modify your habits. This with the purpose of having better health or optimizing it even more if you wish.
Statistically, people who reach this value (100) are less prone to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, their life expectancy increases by about 8 years compared to people who do not reach this score.
However, the PAI index is not universally accepted as a measure of physical activity in the medical and scientific community. However, it represents a start towards your enjoyment of good physical health.