Does Hiking App Calculate VO2 Max?

Former Member over 7 years ago

Does the hiking app calculate VO2 max?

The firstbeat page for VO2 max says any running or walking activity.
How does it work?

Firstbeat can automatically detect your VO2max fitness level during walking and running activities, using a proprietary method shown to be 95% accurate compared to laboratory measurements. The calculation relies on a combination of personal background information and data collected during your activity. This includes a focus on heart rate and running/walking speed. Movement speed and heartbeat data are used to investigate the relationship between internal and external workloads. In other words, how hard your body is working to produce your performance.

So this should include hiking too right?

Does anyone know for sure?

thanks in advance.

0 mcalista over 7 years ago

I don't think so. Walking on an uneven trail surface requires more effort than walking on a smooth surface as you have to work harder to stay upright while balancing on uneven tree roots, rocks, etc, making speed v HR comparisons unreliable. The trail running app does not calculate a VO2Max, but the running app does, and I think the same applies to walking v hiking.