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What is all about VO2MAX from the watch?

Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi, I am sorry if I am repeating something but I couldn't find the answer in previous posts so I try to ask again. First of all, let me give some background information of myself. I am a 38yrs old Asian man who has barely had any kind of exercises in the past 38 years. Kind of skinny, 5'7", 130lbs and surprisingly weak. A few weeks ago, I decided I am not going to live like that and started to run. To encourage myself, I bought myself a Forerunner 935. You know, having big money spent is a good reason to ask myself to keep up.

3 weeks before, I had my first run. I was so weak and couldn't even finish my first km in 10 mins. My first run ended at around 12 mins with like 0.95km while my heart rate is high at >180 and almost passing out after the run but interestingly, the watch gave me a 45 VO2MAX. Unbelievable, right? I keep run and run for the past few weeks and I really feel myself improving a lot but the VO2MAX received from the watch is dropping. 45>44>42>41>39. Today I have finished a 6km run though very slow.... in 45 mins but the heart rate could be kept at around 160. I felt good after this but the watch gave me 39.... which made me very sad and it keeps telling me my training efficiency is unproductive, which is very frustrating. It drops every time when I feel better.

My question is, how relevant is the VO2Max from the watch? Or what is the VO2Max of the watch reflect? Do I need to keep a higher heart rate for a better training efficiency? Or is my watch have some defect to give a weird result? And, finally, how do I grow my VO2Max? Thanks everyone for reading and answering.

0 scotthunter2 over 7 years ago

It's an indication of current cardiovascular fitness. My VO2 Max is currently 49, but this year I have run 5 miles in 30 minutes, 10k in 38 minutes and half marathon in 87 minutes, so I think I have lost fitness, and I have also been suffering from a cold. The VO2 Max indicator is looking at the relationship between heart rate vs pace, but of course this is only an estimate as a VO2 Max test should be carried out in a laboratory to determine your body's maximum oxygen uptake or maximal aerobic capacity.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks Scotthunter. Actually I am not surprise to get a low score as I am too new to exercise, but what frustrate me is the score keeps dropping while I feel better and keep telling me that my training is unproductive. And... I don't understand why it give me such a high score at the first time. Do I get a leomon? Or I don't need to be too serious about this result?

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

The main thing to remember is that this an estimated value and not a direct measurement so it will vary depending on a lot of factors other than your actual fitness.

It's also important to make sure that your maximum heart rate is set correctly on the watch and in Garmin Connect. If it is set too low the algorithm will think you're working too hard on your runs and give you a lower value. If it's set too high it will give you a higher value because it will think you're not working very hard for the pace you're running.

Running slower than normal will also cause a drop in Vo2Max score. I did a trail run yesterday at an 11 min/mi pace while my normal road easy pace is closer to 9 min/mi and my Vo2Max dropped one point. Your 935 has a trail run app which ignores Vo2Max so that specific case won't affect you I was just giving an example of how a slower than usual pace can affect Vo2Max score.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks Tellis. I know what you mean now. It is because I was running slower than I could, I received a lower VO2MAX score.

0 srshaw over 7 years ago

I've been using watches with vo2max for a while, since the 620 came out and then on the Fenix 3. As mentioned it is an estimate, but it is crucial you have your max heart rate correct. This of course might be much higher than you have achieved on runs so far if you haven't run that hard. I'm not sure if weight affects it too.

Obviously factors such as heat can skew the estimate. Last week I completed a half ironman, and the heart rate on the run was quite high compared to normal due to the biking first, and my vo2max went from 51 to 49. Next run (very slow) it went back up. In my experience, the actual speed of the run doesn't matter much, but running on gravel etc (I.e. trail running) will lower it. This is why if you select the trail run app vo2max isn't measured (at least it isn't of the Fenix 3). I personally find the race predictor to be very optimistic.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks srshaw. That is a bad news then as I have no idea what my max HR is.... :(:( but interestingly... I get lower score every time I run on track. It's slower than street.... Anyway, I am still new though, let me share the status again a few weeks later. Wishing to improve gradually though the result keeps dropping. I feel better though...


0 FlipStone over 7 years ago

Guess everything has been said already, but to be honest... it sounds like your VO2Max is converging to what it should be. I mainly can;t understand why it was set to 45 when you ran less then 1km in ~12minutes because I thought it needed more data. But after that it adjusts based on new activities.

And well, 6km in 45min at ~160bpm does not sound like it should increase your VO2max above 39 (which is still considered 'good' for your age and gender).

It takes time, both to improve your fitness and for the VO2max to settle. Also, it's an estimation and if your OHR isn't working properly for a while it can also mess things up.

Btw, I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything! Hope it doesn't come across like that. It's great that you're getting fitter and keep at it! Give it some time and you will notice the difference and also see it in the stats ;) Good luck!

ps. The training progress is also something to take with a grain of salt but also it does matter HOW you train (which hr zones, pace, etc). So don't expect to 'just mess around' and improve like crazy :)

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

I think all the algorithm requires is 10 minutes so a 1k in 12 would be enough for the watch to give a result. Now, as seen, it's not going to be terribly accurate.

0 chrisdr2 over 7 years ago

If you are running in Asia extreme heat and humidity can be an issue with the Vo2Max algorithm. Extreme conditions are known to cause Vo2Max to drop unexpectedly, especially if doing an activity such as trail running. I run in HK and have seem my Vo2Max drop several times this summer after running in 32C-34C.

Garmin have fixed it to an extent with trail running by disabling Vo2Max for the trail running app.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks all and thanks Chris. Yeah, I am in Hong Kong too. Started to run a few weeks before and I was too dumb to go out for my first run at a 1pm with 34C ended up almost killed myself... :p

Yes, and thanks guys for the advise. I know nothing will be improved all in a sundden dramatically but I am hoping to get some improvement, and be a bit healthier... Thank you all. :)