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VO2max automatic calculations - under which conditions?

Anyone have an idea what the (current) conditions are for getting a VO2max reading?

I remember that, when I got the watch at the beginning of 2019, I would get VO2max readings for treadmill runs. That changed later on, with an update I'm guessing: only activities with GPS tracking.

But lately I've been perplexed, there seem to have been changes again:

I've done outdoor hikes without getting a VO2max reading (granted, perhaps not high intensity enough?)
I got VO2max readings yesterday, before I had even done any workouts (only walking to the office, without starting a workout), and the day before yesterday, when I only did a treadmill run.

So what are currently the conditions under which a VO2max value is calculated?

GPS or not?
what minimum heart rate?
what minimum duration?
only running and walking?

Top Replies

Garmin-Kevin over 3 years ago +1 verified

See FAQ below for information on your query:

Getting Your VO2 Max. Estimate
Garmin-Kevin over 3 years ago +1 verified

All- A better FAQ that explains this situation more fully is posted below:

My Recorded Activity Did Not Update My VO2 Max Estimate

Please see the "The Type of Activity Recorded Did Not Trump a Previously…

All Replies

0 Michael over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

Yes to both Garmin-Kevin.

0 Michael over 3 years ago in reply to Michael

Garmin-Kevin this is happening again now.

No V02max calculations from bike riding for > 1 month.
Gentle walk (6% HR Zone 1, 94% < Zone 1) with no GPS.
Vivoactive 4 (FW version 6.50) calculates VO2max at completion of activity.

connect.garmin.com/.../7874847198

0 ovekvam over 3 years ago in reply to Michael

My latest VO2Max update is from 10.11.2021, which was a "Cardio" workout indoors, where I was mostly lifting weights. It would had made more sense if it used one of my treadmill activities to make an estimate now that there is a long time since last outdoor GPS run.

0 Garmin-Kevin over 3 years ago in reply to Michael

Hello Former Member I see that all of your cycling activities were recorded with your Edge 530, so please inquire about that cycling VO2 max using the link below:

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-530

As for your VA4 VO2 Max, please see the criteria not being met by your activities in the image below:

My Recorded Activity Did Not Update My VO2 Max Estimate

0 Michael over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

Hello Garmin-Kevin. Yes I agree that the criteria you are referring to are not being met. I raised this again to see if you wanted any assistance in investigating why my device calculates VO2max estimates for activities that do not meet the calculation criteria. This problem is easily reproducible for me. All I need to do is not have any recent cycling VO2max calculations - then my Vivoactive will calculate on activities that no not meet the criteria you are referring to.

To summarise the previous conversations, the behaviour I see does not align with that support article:

If my Edge 530 has calculated a VO2max within the past month, my Vivoactive will not calculate VO2max under any circumstances - including the ones listed on that page.
When there is not recent cycling VO2max score, my Vivoactive will calculate VO2max for any activity - including ones that do not meet the criteria listed on that page.