Vo2 Max Estimates while using Stryd foot pod

befast said:

Does the Garmin estimate Vo2Max using the Stryd data? 

I don't think it does. It is hard to test, since so many parameters can change your HR/HRV in addition to accelerometer and pace data for a VO2 Max calculation.

I don't think it does because VO2 max is not calculated for indoor running, regardless of the source of your pace. Garmin's support web site is very clear that VO2 Max requires GPS. 

befast said:

However, my V02Max estimate has been completely flatline, even as the reported paces to the watch have been higher.

The VO2 Max model has been improved about a year ago and doesn't produce big changes of VO2 max from run to run any longer. In the past, you could often have your VO2 Max number change by a unit, maybe 2. Now, it doesn't happen. Maybe it is a rolling average at play, I don't know.

You can see minor changes of VO2 Max (after the decimal point) that at least indicate that a new value has been calculated. They are stored in the FIT file and you can see it on Runalize.

befast said:

even though I ran recent races with Stryd that show my race times, the race predictor is still showing a significantly higher time

Race predictions are based on your VO2 max and your training history, not on your last Personal Best (that one is just one data point among many others, if recent enough to matter).

There is no fix, aside making sure that you have the correct HR Max, get maximum effort workouts across the spectrum from base to sprints and do your best to have high quality data capture (Chest strap, good GPS readings).

In my case, the watch 5k prediction is at the top of the range of what Stryd recommends. Based on my previous PB, I would be smack in the middle... Only one way to find out which is right :-)

Yes, it does.

“Garmin does support Stryd. They have been great partners. In fact, we have been recognized as one of their top Connect IQ partners (https://developer.garmin.com/index.php/blog/post/connect-iq-developer-award-best-ant-enabled-app-winner) and integrate with their ANT+ profiles.

I exchanged emails with Garmin and I was told that the VO2 Max number changes because speed and distance is factored into the VO2 Max equation. Since Stryd provide highly accurate and stable pace & distance, we should see the resulting VO2 Max estimation change. Here is a paper explaining how the VO2 Max is calculated using heart rate and speed: https://www.firstbeat.com/app/uploads/2015/10/white_paper_VO2max_11-11-20142.pdf

Best,
Angus & the Stryd Team”

I have not run indoors for years, but maybe Garmin simply disabled that profile as a cautiousness to avoid crazy vo2max numbers due to incorrect pace, and which is a bigger factor due to the incline of the treadmill,which cannot ne measured by the watch, as they did disable vo2max of Trail run years earlier.

For those who have a Styrd well calibrated to a specific treadmill I would suggest using Run or Trail run with a disabled gps and after some higher intensity runs it will be clear whether Garmin really requires gps enabled to provide vo2max number.

befast said:

However, my V02Max estimate has been completely flatline, even as the reported paces to the watch have been higher.

Sure, but were your HR not higher? Moreover you have no knowledge about what happened to your HRV when you achieved higher paces.

Note:

for me it remained still a black box when HRV data are used above HR data in the calculation of physiological metrics. White papers and support articles are great, but still I feel what I feel.

In some cases it is clear that also HRV data are used, but is it a correct statement that HRV data has at least a control/doublecheck role in each of the calculation? Or are they neglected sometimes?

My primary thought is that HRV data is more or less a tool to finetune the data content of the pure HR data, and involving HRV can make it more accurate to generalize the data being gathered via testing people by physiologists. Simple HR data are too individual-specific, while HRV data is more universal, even if also the latter must have some sort of individual related specificity.