VO2 max and lifestyle

5785939 said:

My wife does zero exercise and has a VO2 max of 38

If she does no running (and I assume no cycling with a powermeter either), then the VO₂max estimate comes from the all-day HR, or perhaps from walking, and that is not a value you could rely on. Not telling it is impossible that she has a VO₂max of 38 (finally genetics plays an important role too), but unless both values were taken under comparable conditions, or in a sports lab, i would not try comparing them.

No exercise whatsoever, which is why I couldn't understand it - thanks for the reply.

This Garmin Support article will help - support.garmin.com/.../

Good, detailed summary of factors affecting VO2max here: www.hoddereducation.com/.../PEReview17_3_poster.pdf

Garmin VO2max even if measured by running is only about 5% accurate, and assumes that your max HR is set properly.  If you don't do running or cycling, then it is estimated from walking (and RHR I think).

trudelta said:

Garmin VO2max even if measured by running is only about 5% accurate,

To be clear, it's accurate to within 5% or so of a proper test, which makes it around 95% accurate. 

Dr Phil said:

trudelta said:

Garmin VO2max even if measured by running is only about 5% accurate,

To be clear, it's accurate to within 5% or so of a proper test, which makes it around 95% accurate. 

For this level of accuracy, it does require an accurate maxHR. From the OP, it seems unlikely this datapoint is accurate.

5% accurate is simply not true.

My Garmin has my VO2max at 38; my recent lab test result was 46. That’s a discrepancy of over 20% in my case. My zones seem to be set up correctly, so I have no idea why it’s so far off.

The algorithm requires quite a bit of data to be precise. The more you use it, the better it should get. My VO2max is continuously improving as a result of exercise and wearing it consistently. When I just got the watch, my VO2max was low. Over time it improved rapidly, which is also the result of weight loss.

I can understand that. I have over a decade and 2000 activities for Garmin to use, though, so I think in my case Garmin is just way off.