Forums >General Running>vo2 max calculation
Does anyone know how the forerunner 45 estimates the vo2 max for it's calculation? I am really confused by it. I am 39 and am in pretty good shape. I always have an estimated value between 56-59 on the watch. I thought that if I had a harder workout that the value would be higher. For example, I did a 4 mile tempo run and averaged right around 6:30 pace. v02 max was a 57. I have done a mile on the track at 5:45, and it is 57. But then on some recovery days I will relax at an 8:15-8:30 pace and it shows I have a v02 max of 58 or even 59. I would have thought that the harder workout would have more of an impact on the vo2 max, but it seems like the isn't the case. Also, I noticed that in February I was consistently at 59, but in the summer with more consistent training and better paces/times, I am most consistently at 57. So curious on how it is being calculated.
an amazing likeness
It's a calculation Garmin makes based on heart rate and speeds in the workout. There's a good explanation here [link to sportcoaching.co.nz]. Garmin also has some articles on their support site.
To my reading of these it seems like they're using heart rate in various zones and pace to arrive at their estimate.
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Thanks! That first site is very helpful.
That's a great link! Let me check that out.
Mother of Cats
It's a calculation Garmin makes based on heart rate and speeds in the workout. There's a good explanation here [link to sportcoaching.co.nz]. Garmin also has some articles on their support site. To my reading of these it seems like they're using heart rate in various zones and pace to arrive at their estimate.
Very interesting.
I do note that their calculations do NOT take weather into consideration. Which matches my experience (my Garmin measured VO2 Mmax reliably drops every summer and rises every winter)
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I think Garmin's calculation / algorithm is laughable. It (FR 935) started to give me VO2 Max 58 couple of months ago, then creeped to 59, 60 and now for a month tells me my VO2 Max is 61 !!! 61 means I can run 2:41 marathon. My marathon PR 2:48 was set 6 years ago when I was in best shape of my life, I am overweight by 8 pounds now but apparently, according to Garmin, I still should be able to run 2:41. It's a joke...
paces PRs - 5K - 5:48 / 10K - 6:05 / HM - 6:14 / FM - 6:26 per mile
runktrun
I have the 935 as well. The absolute value doesn't mean much, but I think the trends can be helpful pieces of information along with other training notes. I got my VO2max as a bonus from some lab tests and it's higher than what garmin calculates.
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Very interesting. I do note that their calculations do NOT take weather into consideration. Which matches my experience (my Garmin measured VO2 Mmax reliably drops every summer and rises every winter)
I notice the same thing.
I also am not convinced their adjustment for hilly terrain is accurate as I notice the same pattern - lower VO2Max when running a lot of hilly routes, higher on the flat. Although that may just mean I am not very good at hills.
3,000m: 9:07.7 (Nov-21) | 5,000m: 15:39 (Dec-19) | 10,000m: 32:34 (Mar-20)
10km: 33:15 (Sep-19) | HM: 1:09:41 (May-21)* | FM: 2:41:41 (Oct-20)
* Net downhill course
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not bad for mile 25
I think it's pretty much fiction, but I like the flattery I get from it.
Yep, it continues its uptrend - today I've got 62 - yeah - here comes sub 2:40 marathon!
Are we there, yet?
I'm still waiting to run my sub-21:00 5K at age 74. It's been 20 years since I ran one that fast.
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Thanks for this information - I've often wondered how my Garmin determines my max V02.