Related
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Big Drop in Vo2Max Score

badbri
over 5 years ago

Recently my Vo2Max score on my watch dropped significantly, from 51-52 to 48-49.

I honestly don't put much credence in this actual score (or most of the FirstBeat metrics), as I use Sporttracks to track my Load/Fitness/etc anyway.  But I was pretty curious why it's suddenly scoring me so lowly.

Clues:

I went through a two week period where I didn't do any road runs.  This sent my "Load" metrics into "unknown" and then following that I saw the drop in Vo2Max score.  I don't see how this could be related.  All of my road runs since the gap have been pretty consistent with what I was doing before the gap.

I think I also recall changing my HR zones in Garmin Connect.  It had an old HR max that I don't think is accurate anymore, which I changed to a slightly lower number.  This adjusted all of my HR zones to the point that most of my runs are now in a higher zone than before.  (I don't get that "high aerobic deficiency" message anymore).  I think this has something to do with the Vo2Max rating but I can't confirm.  

I also wear a Vivosmart which I use as my fitness tracker.  When I do a Vo2Max test on that device, it still scores me at 52 which is what I am used to.  It's my 945 that is consistently downgrading me.

Does anyone know what goes into calculating that score?

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    All sorts of bits and pieces go into the First Beat algorithm for Vo2Max estimation but I would strongly suspect that lowering your Max HR setting would be the cause here.  Although simplistic, the estimation is done by comparing the pace you run against the effort as determined by your HR.  Drop the setting for Max HR and it "appears" as if you are working harder (closer to your Max HR) for the same pace or result.

    As you note, any value is an estimation - if you really want to know do a lab/clinic test.  Having said that, my estimated V02Max has generally been fairly close to the lab tests I have done.  Less so now as I rarely run with a HR Monitor and using "Run" activity - mostly trail runs - so it is rarely updated.  Some find it accurate, others do not.  Like many results, it is really the change over time that is more useful than the number.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    changed my HRmax to a lower value too, because i don't get anaerobic measurement, anyway there is no change, again no anaerobice measurement and my vo2max falls down too.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to f|33tStA

    Thanks for the replies guys.  I'm going to change the HR Max back and see what it tells me.  Should be an easy way to determine the culprit if that's it.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to badbri

    you should put your max HR as your max HR not the max HR you want to get a better VO2max. The watch will recalculate it in a couple of weeks. Are your estimated times correct ? 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to razmichael
    razmichael said:
    Less so now as I rarely run with a HR Monitor and using "Run" activity - mostly trail runs - so it is rarely updated.

    Brisk walks are now accounted for in the FirstBeat VO2max metric, if you want more data-points. :)

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to snowfree52

    The "new" Vo2Max estimated times are far from correct.  They were close before.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Otto-Destruct

    really, walking accounts VO2max, hiking too?

    do i get a Training Load in walking activities?

    never tried, i always use moveIQ instead of starting a walking activity!

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to f|33tStA

    I get Vo2Max numbers from my Vivosmart in Walking activities, but my 945 doesn't trigger it apparently.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Well my problem is way bigger,my vo² max droped from 59 to 51 ,and every run i do this get worst. I thougth garmin 245 was a great buy but i was wrong. I regret the 350 euros i gave for this junk watch. I never should change from Polar

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Welcome in the club, don't know why but since temperature dropped below 10C my Vo2Max followed it down the path 7 points in two weeks. Trend still going on, should hit 0 at the end of the year...