Vo2Max Estimate

The key figure for accuracy is that 190 max HR value. Is that a value you have actually got to fairly recently?

It's fairly normal for VO2 Max to go up while the watch "learns" you.

If all your data is correct then it could mean you are efficient at lower heart rates. In theory it should not matter if you run fast or slow although what you do in faster runs is likely to be more accurate as it is estimating a maximal output level after all.

How do the race predictions compare to your actual performances? The predictions are directly related to the VO2 Max value it gives. The higher that it is, the faster it thinks you can run.

The 190 max is based on hitting that number in races at track meets over the summer. Twice in 1500m and 1 mile races, and once in an open 400 so I believe it to be a good number.

The race predictions are nowhere close to what I'm capable of right now. It's listing a 3:11:46 for a marathon, and while I'm in better shape now than I was last March when I ran 3:53:31 I'm not in that much better shape.

It's listing a 3:11:46 for a marathon, and while I'm in better shape now than I was last March when I ran 3:53:31 I'm not in that much better shape.

Sounds like you mistakenly bought the special limited "Mike Rossi" edition of the 235.

Age is also a factor in VO2 max numbers. When you are in GC, have one of your reports be VO2 reading. If you notice there is a thing to enter your age. The VO2 number won't change, but the little gauge will. I ignore on my watch and use the age thing on GC, it puts me over more in the superior range. One of the good things for being over 70:)
Also, as I have aged and slowed down, I always look up age graded times after my races. Makes me feel better. Currently around 25:30 5K time, age graded gets me in the mid 18:30's. PR 30 years ago was 17:46.
Just keep running. The numbers will take care of themselves.

Could running easy be the reason it's giving such a high number? Will it come down to a more reasonable number when I start to add some faster workouts?

I've read that HR variability (used for VO2max estimation) decreases when HR increases. I have tried this with my chest strap and an app called eliteHRV. Resting it gives me a HRV (not VO2max) reading between 40-55. When I was running and measuring HRV it was decreasing below 30.

However I think the calculations for VO2max include this already, some kind of HR indexing.

After my first runs my VO2max was reported around 40, just as I used to get from the estimation. However, as the week progressed and got more intense (having a two hour tennis training on friday and then match day on saturday) the VO2max estimation from the FR dropped to 32 on match day and today after a slow run it's on 35.

It's possible that the intensity of the weekend put my body in more stress and so the readings changed because of that.

btw: With eliteHRV they suggest to test deep diaphragmatic breathing while taking the HRv test. I did this and was amazed: HRV was going up from the usual 40-50 to above 72! The manual suggests this is because this kind of breathing supports relaxation. Not sure however how this is connected so directly to HRV in the short term.

I thought I read in one of the other postings that the VO2max number uses heart rate and GPS data for distance so is most accurate for a run on the flat. Other activities or hilly runs may not give the same accuracy (lower readings unless you run all down hill).

I thought I read in one of the other postings that the VO2max number uses heart rate and GPS data for distance so is most accurate for a run on the flat. Other activities or hilly runs may not give the same accuracy (lower readings unless you run all down hill).

Don't think GPS factors into this. I think that was some other metric, just don't know which one. Only that Polar has a running index that is based on GPS and HR. 😄

http://www.firstbeat.com/app/uploads/2015/10/white_paper_vo2_estimation.pdf

http://www.firstbeat.com/app/uploads/2015/09/white_paper_VO2max_11-11-2014.pdf


From firstbeat whitepaper:
"Exercising conditions should be standardized to get reliable results. For example running surface and wind may have effect on the result."

Ok, but then maybe it should be possible to toggle the test on and off? I mean serious runners will do lots of hill runs, intervalls etc...

The 190 max is based on hitting that number in races at track meets over the summer. Twice in 1500m and 1 mile races, and once in an open 400 so I believe it to be a good number.

The race predictions are nowhere close to what I'm capable of right now. It's listing a 3:11:46 for a marathon, and while I'm in better shape now than I was last March when I ran 3:53:31 I'm not in that much better shape.

190 sounds a good number then.

The estimates rather assume you are training for all events optimally but if you were targetting track in the summer than maybe the 5K would be best event right now out of 5K/10K/HM/Mar and the Marathon maybe the worst?
Also they are somewhat idealised predictions with everything going in your favour like perfect weather conditions on a fast course.

That said we do commonly see the VO2 Max estimates being 2-3 "points" higher than perhaps they might be.

> Ok, but then maybe it should be possible to toggle the test on and off? I mean serious runners will do lots of hill runs, intervalls etc..

You will be unlikely to get a VO2 Max reading doing intervals. I understand the algorithm typically needs to "see" at least 10 mins of continuous running above about 70% max HR.

It's true that on some days when the terrain is hard you might get a lower value.

Don't forget however that it is a more of a longer term trend you are looking for. To get a high VO2 Max value in a proper test on any given day you need to treat it like a race and come into it fresh. So, by same token, it might go down on some days when you not feeling so good.

190 sounds a good number then.

The estimates rather assume you are training for all events optimally but if you were targetting track in the summer than maybe the 5K would be best event right now out of 5K/10K/HM/Mar and the Marathon maybe the worst?
Also they are somewhat idealised predictions with everything going in your favour like perfect weather conditions on a fast course.

That said we do commonly see the VO2 Max estimates being 2-3 "points" higher than perhaps they might be.

Thanks for that, of the times its predicting for me 5k is the only one that might be in the realm of possibility but it'd be a 2.5 minute PR. I think it's closer to 8-10 points too high for me right now. ;)

This is the run where it went from 51 to 52
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/976295951

Today I did a 6 miler using a strap because I wanted to make sure I stayed under 140 other than on up-grades, can't really call them hills, on this route. After this run it stayed at 52.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/977243841

Thursday I start adding some marathon pace miles so I'm interested to see how/whether that effects anything. I just know with my 52nd b-day coming up in a couple of days I'm not nearly as fit as this watch wants to tell me I am. :cool: