VO2Max stuck

I had to stop running for 4 months due to an Achilles tendon injury. Physical therapy and rest got me back and I started running again about 3 weeks ago.

Not surprisingly I stopped getting VO2Max in my Training Status when I wasn't running (but I think I could see a lower guesstimate number somewhere in app but didn't pay much attention). While I was still getting exercise (indoor cycling, step climbing etc) my fitness definitely dropped

Now I am running again I am getting VO2Max reported again - but its stuck at exactly the guesstimate number the app had been reporting when I wasn't running.

In the last few weeks I have gradually been increasing the distance (per my physical therapist recommendation) running about 3 times a week and now at 4 miles per run. I am definitely getting fitter with average heart rate much lower then when I started. Yet my VO2Max is stuck on the same (guesstimate from when I wasn't running) number. I know I am getting back towards towards the fitness levels I was at before - but the VO2Max isn't moving and is much lower than it was when I was running.

All the runs are with a good GPS lock and heart rate is from an HRM-PRO. Training status says productive but VO2Max never moves

Any ideas on what is happening?

I know all of these runs should be giving a better VO2Max than I am seeing in the app and trend should be improving

Thanks

Top Replies

S.M.R. over 1 year ago +1

FWIW , get Runalyze and there you can see the VO2 Max from Fit file to two decimals, which is quite useful. Just select the correct settings in the view area of it.

RA also does its own VO2 max calc on…

All Replies

0 S.M.R. over 1 year ago

FWIW , get Runalyze and there you can see the VO2 Max from Fit file to two decimals, which is quite useful. Just select the correct settings in the view area of it.

RA also does its own VO2 max calc on a different basis.

0 geierf over 1 year ago

Maybe you did not run hard enough. For VO2max to be updated:

Your heart rate must be elevated to at least 70% of your maximum heart rate for at least 10 minutes continuously.

support.garmin.com/.../

0 larry_lahodny over 1 year ago

I had the same experience. Stuck at 44 for about 9 months. Did LOTS of VO2 max workouts (hill sprints, intervals, tempo, etc.). Never changed once. Finally changed to 45 about a week ago.

0 9606982 over 1 year ago in reply to larry_lahodny

I also asked Garmin online support for help.

They suggested a soft reset (manually power it off for a full minute) but also to give a bit more time to see if the VO2Max starts to increase.

Anyway I did the soft reset and ran 4 miles tonight and my VO2Max increased by 1!

Not sure if it was the soft reset or I am eventually starting to regain fitness.

Either way its a win!

0 Etupes25 over 1 year ago in reply to larry_lahodny

larry_lahodny said:
Did LOTS of VO2 max workouts (hill sprints, intervals, tempo, etc.).

There is a risk that hill sprints are not helpng the watch to evaluate your VO2 max correctly. Of course these are great workouts, but they feed the wrong HR/pace data pairs to the watch.

Disabling the VO2 Max for trail running doesn't seem to prevent the data to be taken into account, but just to prevent a VO2 Max data point for these runs. I now use an activity without GPS or pace data for steepish hills/trails. That way I get a (less accurate) training load, effect, etc.

Finally, as usual for VO2 Max, make sure your HR Max is correct. This is the most important user input, aside from making sure you have accurate HR and pace data during your runs, and peppering your training with maximal effort workouts.

0 Giwi 2 months ago

I think I know why: https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-55-series/380512/vo2max/1825623#1825623