VO2 Max & Training Status Not Recording Fenix 6S Sapphire

Hi All,

I have been off running since the end of December due to Achilles tendonitis. I finally felt able to get back outside in the last week, but immediately saw several problems:

VO2 Max is no longer being recorded:

I done three runs in the last week. All of them were outdoors with GPS enabled and longer than 10 minutes. During all of the runs my heart rate was over 70% of my MHR, 126 BMP (220-40=180*0.7=126) for more than 10 consecutive minutes. Despite that the last VO2 max recorded was from December 28th.
I contacted Garmin support by webchat but the agent was of no help and claimed that the VO2 max is only recorded when you run for 10 consecutive minutes above your Average Heart Rate (AHR), which is not what is in any of the Garmin documentation, and doesn't really make any sense from a scientific perspective.
Can anyone confirm whether I'm correct or Garmin Support is correct what runs/criteria qualify for VO2 max to be recorded? Is it 10 consecutive minutes above 70% of MHR or 10 consecutive minutes above AVR?

Training Status isn't being calculated:

Per Garmin documentation the Training Status should be updated after I, “record and sync at least two running or cycling activities per week that generate a VO2 max.”
It seems to clear to me that the Training Status isn't being updated because no VO2 Max is being recorded on any of my runs (despite meeting the criteria for VO2 max to be recorded), but again Garmin support claimed that isn't correct, and stated that it was related to my AHR not "qualifying".
Can anyone confirm the criteria for Training Status to be updated? Is it because VO2 Max was recorded or is Garmin chat support correct that it’s related to my AHR?

Exercise Load is low:

When doing a run of the same distance or longer than before my injury the load is much lower than it was previously. This is the case even when the average pace is the same or better than it in 2021.

The only thing that has changed on the watch is that there was a software update to V20.00 (f4ec743). I didn’t want to do the update because updates have caused problems in the past (headphones disconnecting) but was required to do so in order to update Amazon Music.

Webchat supports only advice was to do a factory reset, which would be very time consuming to set up all of my preferences again (Watch face, Data Screens, WiFi, Music etc.) And also to update the watch to the latest firmware (V20.30 I think he said). He seemed to have no specific insight into my particular issues and was just suggesting general troubleshooting recourses.

If anyone can confirm what the criteria are for VO2 Max to be recorded and Training Status to be updated/calculated I would really appreciate it. I've attached the HR charts for my runs from the Garmin connect website and added a line indicating 70% MHR.

Additionally, if anyone has any insight on how I can correct any of those issues it would be amazing.

Cheers,

0 mcalista over 3 years ago

2 & 3 are occurring because of 1.

MHR can occasionally get screwed up after a firmware update (more commonly if you are using LTHR as a zone setting method). Which means that the watch thinks your running is not meeting the 70% requirement. My suggestion would be to force a change in your MHR by editing it in Garmin Connect to something else, forcing a sync, then editing it back to the correct MHR number and syncing again.You may need to (temporarily) change your zone setting method to do this.

I think the Support Agent have confused themselves with AHR.

0 ryanspa over 3 years ago

What you stated for VO2 Max is correct, however, if your using Ultratrac then VO2 Max won’t calculate. Needs to be GPS, GPS GLONNAS

0 ryanspa over 3 years ago in reply to ryanspa

Oops. GPS GALLILEO.

im assuming your using Run. In Trail Run there’s an option to calc VO2 Max (set on or off).

if you have more than one Garmin this one needs to be Preferred Activity Tracker.

0 G514 over 3 years ago in reply to mcalista

Thanks mcalista. I'll give the manual editing of the MHR a try and get back you with results.

0 G514 over 3 years ago in reply to ryanspa

Hi ryanspa,

Yes, I'm using Run not Trail Run. The only Garmin watch I have is the F6S Sapphire. I have an Index S2 scale attached to my account but I can't see that causing any interference (although I have to say it's one of the most inaccurate smart scales I've ever used).

I just double checked and the GPS is unchanged. Still set to "GPS + GLONASS".

0 pooya over 3 years ago

hi unfortunately mine too. my vo2 max has not work at least since 2 month ago , i run 3 times a week about 7 kilometer per run and i am in 4-5 zone but vo2max did not update and change at least for 2 month , everything is correct gps in on herat rate and ...

0 pooya over 3 years ago in reply to mcalista

hi how can i do that change in garmin connect?( as you said above)

0 [Redacted] over 3 years ago in reply to pooya

Maybe you should adapt your training plan first. As mentioned in the other thread, it could be your training plan which is causing the problem. Running at max level every time doesn't necessarily mean you're fit. Your goal should be lower heart rates for the same effort. That's when you'll see a higher VO2max score.

If you're still in doubt, create a Runalyze account and import your Garmin data.

0 G514 over 3 years ago

UPDATE: I followed the suggestions posted here and also updated the software to 20.30 as instructed by supported.

I have done 4 runs this week. Out of the 4 runs, the watch to record VO2 Max on one run on 2/1. I've looked through the run data in both the app and on connect.garmin.com but I can't see anything that explain why VO2 Max was recorded on 2/1 but not on 1/30, 2/2, 2/3.

This is becoming increasingly frustrating. I bought a high end multi-sport watch to get all of the feedback to be able to monitor my progress etc. and it isn't. The lack of assistance from Garmin support only compounds the problem.