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Running and cycling VO2max drastically differ

To give this a bit of perspective - I already posted about my running VO2max, LTHR and pace being a bit on the low side here https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/running/forerunner-935-aa/1283968-low-lthr-pace-on-fr935

Since that time there was a period when I virtually did not train at all, and when I restarted my running VO2max calculation sequence seemed to reboot itself, first jumping to around 49 but then gradually reducing to previously seen levels of around 46, so this seem to be a consistent result of Firstbeat algorithms application to my specific case. I also made a LTHR test in the meanwhile and am occasionally getting LTHR updates from normal training, with the result being again consistent 172bpm and around 5.50/km pace (all this despite my recent HM time of 1.56 (which is almost 2 hours at average pace of 5.33/km and heart rate in 176-186bpm range). To sum up, my 935 appears to consistently underestimate my running LTHR and pace, and most likely VO2max, though the latter is hard to say for sure.

Moving on to cycling, which is a bit new for me, I found 935 showing quite generous and constantly growing VO2max and FTP during last half year. Now (per Garmin/Firtsbeat) my cycling VO2max is 52 and my FTP is almost 200w (that's 2.9w/kg for me). In fact, my FTP is lower, I believe. My recent FTP test result in Zwift was around 186w and that looks much more plausible. The VO2max of 52, when applied to other activities (like running) is also an huge overestimate for me.

Long story short - I see my running physiological metrics (VO2max, LTHR and pace) being consistently underestimated while cycling metrics (VO2max and FTP) are, on the contrary, too high. To make things vorse, I see these deviating VO2max estimates messing up the training status algorithm which essentially tracks VO2max development, in the attached screenshots you may see the training status report from the "cycling" viewpoint (showing cycling VO2max consistently growing, which is at least consistent with what the watch says) and the "running" viewpoint (showing running VO2max all over the place due to high cycling VO2max values occasionally picked).

Do you guys also see any major deviations in your cycling and running VO2max estimates and is there any real world explanation for this (other than Firstbeat estimates being just, well, modelled estimates)?
If yes, do you also see deviating VO2max picked up inconsistently for Training Status purposes?

0 AllanOlesen67 over 6 years ago

I don't have any cycling VO2max stats, because I don't have a bicycle power meter. But I have recently acquired a Concept2 rowing ergometer, with which I can produce 200 watt for 8 minutes. According to the Concept2 calculator, that would place me at a VO2max of 40 at my current body weight.

However, my Garmin watch tells me that my running VO2max is 33. Since I have done more running than rowing, that seems a bit strange to me.

0 chunkywizard over 6 years ago

I’m 59 running vs 55 cycling. Basically I’m a much better runner than cyclist, I think the nice way of putting it is I’m an untrained cyclist. Basically if you run much more than cycle (or the other way around) then your VO2Maxes can differ like mine.

0 zlemanz over 6 years ago

Thanks for your input guys, I guess differing VO2max estimates from different sports are more or less normal then

I’m 59 running vs 55 cycling. Basically I’m a much better runner than cyclist, I think the nice way of putting it is I’m an untrained cyclist. Basically if you run much more than cycle (or the other way around) then your VO2Maxes can differ like mine.

Do you also see your cycling VO2max occasionally getting picked as running one by Training Status report (as in my screenshots above)?

0 chunkywizard over 6 years ago

No, I’ve never seen that

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

Training status considers your overall training effect and always appears to pick up running VO2max to display. Since I don't look at this after every session I do, it's quite possible that it displays the most recently calculated VO2max, which in my case tends to be running. My cycling VO2max is only calculated when I'm on my wind trainer using PerfPro Studio to produce a virtual power output. Something I don't do very often.

You only see your specific VO2max when you look for that metric for the different activities. Maybe it would be good to see cycling VO2max when looking at the training status under cycling, but I can't get excited by it. Once you know what it is, you can just click on VO2max Cycling to see the specific. BTW, mine is 54 cycling (don't do this very often) and 46 running (because I've been a lot slack recently). Either way, they've always been different.

0 karlw2000 over 6 years ago

Typically my running VO2 max is higher than my cycling VO2, but the past few years I've focused more on the bike. Today my running is exactly the same: 56.