Walking VO2 max

Droogles said:

I’m wondering if it’s even possible to get a decent VO2 max score from walking.

No, it is not, but people, especially those who do not run, still want it, although it is practically useless. It is a brutally approximative estimate based on the pace and the extrapolation of the HR. Unless you use to walk in the Z4-Z5 (resp. at +70% of Max HR) during periods exceeding 10 min - then it could have some sense.

Which means that recording walks messes with my numbers. 

Does walking without recording a walk affect my non-activity heart metrics? I’m assuming the walk would be considered an activity automatically if in Z1, but if the heart rate is hovering right below Z1 it might appear that I’m stressed when I’m not? Seems flawed. Garmin should probably remove VO2 max from walking.

Droogles said:

Which means that recording walks messes with my numbers. 

Not really. The Walking VO₂max will only override the Running VO₂max if it is older than 30 days. Read more about it here: My Recorded Activity Did Not Update My VO2 Max Estimate | Garmin Customer Support

1. Running Activity With GPS: This activity type yields the most accurate overall VO2 max estimate and will be given priority over all other activity types.

   • Example: You record a Run activity with GPS, which generates a VO2 max estimate. This VO2 max estimate will display in Garmin Connect and will only update over the next 30 days if you record additional Run activities with GPS. Other activity types below in this list will only update the overall VO2 max estimate when the most recent Run activity with GPS is older than 30 days.

Sorry if this is in the docs. I never run. Bad joints. Is there a table for VO2 max activity precedence? For example my main activity is cycling and then rowing. Does cycling override walking?

Cycling and Running/Walking VO₂max are recorded separately, so there is no risk the Walking VO₂max could override Cycling. No idea how it is with rowing. If it is using the "all-day HR", then it would be the last priority - see the document I linked in my previous post, for the details.

Darn it, so if you are doing only 'fitness' in the sense of 'Strength Training' and 'HIIT/Cardio Sessions' .. you basically do not get any VO2Max recordings? They seem to be based on 'All-Day Heart Rate', but I doubt that is any good metric. Not sure how would that work. 

I have both cycling v02max and walking v02max entries (separate as you had suggested) but Training Status chooses the walking V02max for some reason.  Just an observation.  Not sure if this is by design or just another issue that Garmin will hopefully fix eventually.

David Epix said:

They seem to be based on 'All-Day Heart Rate', but I doubt that is any good metric. Not sure how would that work. 

I guess not too well. I am not sure whether there are some serious studies how to accurately estimate the VO₂max without some well known reference value like the pace at running, or the power from a power meter at cycling. The VO₂max estimate is simply not the best metrics for someone neither running, nor cycling. Either use different metrics for monitoring your progress (i.e. Recovery HR, Resting HR, benchmark exercises, ...), or (if possible) do occasionally some benchmark runs at high effort, to get a reliable Running VO₂max - best by conducting the Guided Lactate Threshold Test (found in the Training menu of the Running activity on the watch). If not possible to do the running tests (i.e. due to injuries), make at least sure to have the Walking VO₂max measured at high pace and at high HR (at least 10 continuous minutes @ +70% of the Max HR, or in HR Z4-Z5).

bkimura said:

I have both cycling v02max and walking v02max entries (separate as you had suggested) but Training Status chooses the walking V02max for some reason. 

In Garmin Connect Web » Reports, you have the overall Training Status (probably primarily using the Running/Walking VO₂max), but then you have there also the Running and Cycling Training Status independently. I do not use a power meter, hence do not have the cycling VO₂max and cannot verify it, but I'd tell that the Cycling VO₂max is used for the Cycling TS. If not, then please report it to the Support.

• https://connect.garmin.com/modern/report/-1/all/last_four_weeks 
• https://connect.garmin.com/modern/report/-1/running/last_four_weeks 
• https://connect.garmin.com/modern/report/-1/cycling/last_four_weeks