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VO2max automatic calculations - under which conditions?

Lietchi
over 3 years ago

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?
  • 0 over 3 years ago

    As far as i know: Only running activity, GPS on, minimum 20 minutes.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Walking plus GPS and if you get the HR up high enough for long enough.

    Fast walking up a steep hill for 15-20 minutes will get you there.....

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 4411990

    My experience is that the VO2Max can be updated if I select the running activity, and just go for a low intensity walk as well. Maybe it depends on which parts of the power to heart rate curve that needs to be updated to calculate a new value.

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

    Thanks, I'd seen that. It didn't (and still doesn't) seem to fit with my recent experience, getting new VO2max estimates without doing any GPS tracked activities. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Lietchi
    1. May we, if necessary, have permission to email you?
    2. May we, if necessary, have permission to view/access your Garmin Connect account?
    3. In what country do you live?
  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

    Yes and yes. I live in Belgium by the way.

    Yesterday I got another vo2max estimate and I only did a treadmill run, so yet again no GPS activity. 

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

    This is not my experience either. Over the past year I've had issues with significant injuries causing me to have big breaks in my regular training regime. This is what I observe:

    • Normally my Edge 530 generates VO2max estimates. If I have one of those less than a month old, my Vivoactive 4 will not generate an estimate under any circumstances.
    • Once it's been a month since a bike VO2max, the Vivoactive will generate estimates in a broad range of circumstances - GPS and high heart rate not required.

    I will then get VO2max estimates after gentle walks (no GPS, minimal time in HR zone 1 let alone anything higher) every few days. Once I'm recovered and back on the bike the Vivoactive goes back to never generating estimates.

    It is very discouraging both a) being taunted by how much fitness one looses while recovering, and b) as you improve having measurements derived from such low intensity activities!!  The first Edge measurement after a break can be 10+ points higher than what the watch has been telling me.

    I live in Australia and am happy to assist if there is anything you wish to investigate.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Michael

    Please verify:

    1. We have permission to view/access your Garmin Connect account.
    2. We have permission to email you.
  • +1 over 3 years ago

    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 Recorded Activity" section of this FAQ.

    *In this section, you will see that VO2 Max data is possible on indoor activities is possible when cadence data is present in the file being generated on the watch.