VO2max data reliability problem

[Rob33]

We have already mentioned the problem of reliability of VO2max data depending on the sport practiced.
In runnning I have data that oscillates quite significantly (and normally) between the end of year recovery periods and the periods of peak form during the summer. But in general they fluctuate little between several sessions of a week, depending on the level of fitness of the day.
On the other hand, if I do a trail session with a D + difference in height, the VO2max systematically drops significantly, not reflecting my state of form and my current physical capacities …
It seems that the data is related only to the speed (and obviously to HR) without taking into account the relief of the course.

To find the “real” values ​​of the moment, you need 3 or 4 running sessions …
This distorts the tracking and the progression (or regression) curve.
Couldn’t we dissociate the Vo2max “trails” values ​​from those of “running”?
Or, even better, create a specific calculation method for the Vo2max for trail running?

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@rob33 it’s an estimation by firstbeat of your maximum effort vo2 even if it’s not a maximum effort.

Vo2 is not a line that always goes up. In practice after some age it will only go down.

[Rob33]

@dimitrios-kanellopoulos Of course, i know that!
But that’s not the problem, by training well I regained 4 points (on 3 months)… I’m just talking about these brutal oscillations (over the same week) and only related to the choice of sport mode and which therefore distort the data

[Bulkan]

@rob33 said in VO2max data reliability problem:

On the other hand, if I do a trail session with a D + difference in height, the VO2max systematically drops significantly, not reflecting my state of form and my current physical capacities …

It seems that the data is related only to the speed (and obviously to HR) without taking into account the relief of the course.

These metric (VO2max) had been update by Firstbeat but there is not white paper showing how. In the last firmware of Fenix and Enduro is present.

There’s been nothing published as yet. They published a whitepaper for their original method of calculating Vo2max. If anything is produced you’ll find it here https://www.firstbeat.com/en/science-and-physiology/white-papers-and-publications/

Create a specific calculation method for the Vo2max for trail running?

It appears that the update is the inclusion of accelerometer data into the equation. The main problem is when you run and trail run the algorithm didn’t take on account the grade. I don’t know if Suunto is using the new one.

[Rob33]

@bulkan Indeed, it would be interesting if it was integrated into suunto 9 (y others)!