I’m a passionate user of Garmin devices, including the Descent series and other Garmin products, and I greatly appreciate the innovation and precision Garmin brings to sports and health data tracking.
I’d like to propose an extension to the FIT format to include VO₂ (oxygen consumption), VCO₂ (carbon dioxide production), VE (minute ventilation), RF (respiratory frequency), and VT (tidal volume) as standard fields in the Record message. This proposal isn’t just about diving or specific activities, but rather about creating a unified platform for integrating respiratory data from existing fitness and metabolic devices into the Garmin ecosystem.
Why Include Respiratory Metrics in the FIT Format?
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Standardization Across Fitness and Metabolic Devices
Devices such as K5 (portable metabolic analyzer), VO₂ Master, and COSMED systems already measure VO₂, VCO₂, and VE. However, these metrics are currently provided in proprietary formats that limit their integration and usability.- By including these fields in the FIT format, Garmin could become the standard platform for consolidating and analyzing this data across devices.
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Market Expansion for the FIT Format
- Extending the FIT format with VO₂ and other respiratory metrics would position Garmin as a leader not only in sports data but also in metabolic analysis and health research.
- Device manufacturers and researchers would be more likely to adopt FIT as the standard format, further expanding its influence beyond traditional sports tracking.
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Enhanced User Insights and Data Usability
- Users could upload VO₂ and VCO₂ data from devices like K5 or COSMED to Garmin Connect, allowing them to merge metabolic data with existing performance metrics like heart rate, speed, and altitude.
- For example, users could analyze their VO₂ max changes during specific activities or monitor VE trends during high-intensity workouts.
Implementation Suggestions
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Expanding the Record Message
- Add fields for VO₂, VCO₂, VE, RF, and VT with units and formats aligned to existing standards used by devices like K5 and COSMED.
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Garmin Connect Integration
- Allow users to visualize VO₂ and metabolic data alongside traditional Garmin metrics, creating unified reports for in-depth performance analysis.
- Example: Compare VO₂ max trends with running cadence or altitude changes.
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Supporting Third-Party Device Data
- Provide an API or tools for third-party devices (e.g., K5, VO₂ Master) to export their data in the FIT format, enabling seamless integration into Garmin’s ecosystem.
Benefits for Garmin and Users
- Garmin’s Ecosystem Expansion: This feature would attract a broader audience, including users of metabolic analysis devices, researchers, and health professionals.
- Increased Data Value: Users can analyze VO₂, VCO₂, and VE metrics alongside speed, heart rate, and calorie data for a more comprehensive understanding of their performance and physiology.
- Market Leadership: By being the first platform to standardize metabolic data in sports tracking, Garmin could collaborate with device manufacturers and researchers, solidifying its position as a leader in data standardization.
By incorporating VO₂, VCO₂, VE, and related metrics into the FIT format, Garmin would not only improve its products’ utility but also set a new benchmark for data analysis in sports and health tracking.
I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on this, and I hope Garmin considers this suggestion seriously.