VO2Max trend and treadmill run

1. See the fig.5 and description.

2. I would say - no. The best world athletes are +- 170cm. Low weight - yes, but not that tall.

JRKingOfBeer said:

a side note

there are different measurement methods. They are simply not comparable.

3. I'm guessing it's a weighted result of the previous measurements and the last one, with the latter weighing more than 30% or so. Based on the data that I have.

Thanks yes I saw fig5 of course but isn't the VO2Max error(%) in absolute value on this chart ?

As in, does this mean that Garmin could both over and understimate VO2Max whether the MaxHR is over or underestimated on the watch ? I find this rather strange.

But ok if I populate a fair MaxHR in the first place I can minimise the error to a level that is acceptable (to me) in the first place anyway.

You can use the watch to measure your VO2 Max with a qualifying run from time to time.

Meanwhile you can train on a rower and have a decent set of metrics for training status, readiness. The only metric which will be underestimated is the anaerobic component of the training effect.

You can definitely train to improve your V02 Max without doing anaerobic workouts, or doing them and having the watch give you full credit.

You cannot however use the daily workout suggestions designed for running and bilking and replace the workout by a rowing workout.

You will have to follow your own training plan, informed by the training status and readiness if you want/nees.

Etupes25 said:

You can definitely train to improve your V02 Max without doing anaerobic workouts

Thank you for the comments. I had a look at my records and it seems you're right, my VO2Max increases even during periods of time when I'm only doing Zone 2 training. But, I also notice that my VO2Max rate of increase has sped up once I added 1 HIIT session weekly. Does that sound correct ?

Yes so my plan is indeed to have a qualifying run every month or so. The problem I'm facing is that after my last run (which was the first one since I left high school 25 years ago !) left me with sharp pain on the outside of my left knee. After investigating, it seems what I have is "IT band syndrome" for which I understand I need to (1) shorten my runs and (2) strengthen my hips muscles etc. This is work in progress and I have paused long runs outdoor for the time being. But yes, otherwise what you describe is exactly what I have in mind.

JRKingOfBeer said:

Does that sound correct ?

Yes. One higher intensity workout per week is a good start. Typically, a ratio of 80/20 (look up 80/20 training) for the time spent in low intensity vs higher intensity per week. You will find plenty of guidance on how to pick HR targets to train for VO2 Max.

Examples:

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/a27718661/what-is-80-20-running/

https://www.sportsperformancebulletin.com/training/quantifying-intensity#:~:text=Therefore%2C%20for%20steady%2Dstate%20training,90%2D95%25%20VO2%20max.

If you are not well trained, you should see nice improvements of your VO2 Max, but then it will plateau. Going higher would require more volume and higher intensity workouts resulting in a work load that your body might not do weel with. Training is a trade off between benefits and costs.

I had the same syndrome, and got rid of it by strengthening the Gluteus Medius muscle, combined with this stretch:
www.youtube.com/watch

Guys thanks for the link and video, this is very helpful.

ovekvam if you read this. You may remember a few weeks ago I was mentioning that my HR IR sensor on my watch wasn't working properly at the gym, but no problem when hiking outside. You had suggested I cover the watch with a piece of cloth as I thought it might have to do with the lighting of the gym etc etc... which didn't work.

I believe I found what the problem was this morning, pretty much by chance: I tightened my watch much tighter than how I usually wear it, as in really tight, without blocking the blood flow obviously. It immediately started giving me accurate HR readings (perfectly in line with what the stationary bicycle was showing).

I'll see tomorrow if this works for my intervals on the rowing machine.

Yes, I am reading this. But do you wear the watch tighter outdoors?

No. I understand why you're asking obviously as I wondered the same, and this bit is still a mystery.