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VO2 max when going uphill

I think it would be a great idea if the VO2 max calculator would take into account that someone might be running uphill. My VO2 max is pretty bad because I am always climbing a hill when running.

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Nick over 2 years ago in reply to Bitti +1

Yeah. That's the problem. My watch has an altimeter but when the VO2 max is calculated, altitude doesn't play a role. The only reason I have a high heart rate while running in a relatively slow speed,…
Nick over 2 years ago in reply to Bitti +1

Are you sure that VO2 max is calculated from pace, heart rate and elevation change? If that's true then a slower pace going uphill should not lower the VO2 max values. That's my understanding at least…

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0 trux over 2 years ago in reply to Nick

Nick said:
Are you sure that VO2 max is calculated from pace, heart rate and elevation change?

It is a bit more complex at Garmin. They do not use simple Cooper equations like many other platforms. They use a method developed by Firstbeat Analytics. It is described in more details in the whitepaper Microsoft Word - EE-white-paper_1 7 6_modified_corrected 2.doc (firstbeat.com). However, the algorithms evolves, and may differ from model to model, also depending on the sensors available.

The inclination of the terrain should be indeed considered, but besides other factors, it also depends on your efficiency and technique, as Bitti wrote. It could also be that your uphill running is as efficient as running on a flat terrain, but your down-hill running sucks. I know that's definitely the case for myself.

0 Nick over 2 years ago in reply to trux

Alright people. Thanks both for your help and time. You've been very kind.