What is the problem with Vo2max est on SV?

[Frederick Rochette]

@Egika The problem is that it doesn’t work properly, and the data doesn’t correspond to reality. This erroneous data is therefore not useful as it stands. Third-party applications do a better job than Suunto, and this is incomprehensible…
Suunto’s teams are probably aware of this, but nothing changes. I hope the next update will solve this problem in particular.

[Egika]

@Frederick-Rochette indeed something changes with the next month firmware update.

[danklod]

Has anyone done lab test? It’s interesting for me to to understand how near or far are the results.

[Tieutieu]

@danklod I did in July ! My feedback here, subject that was already discussed => https://forum.suunto.com/post/126896
What I learned doing a proper test :

• It surely depends on your shape the day you do the test

• watch gives its “best” VO2 estimation with running activities, and using a chest strap that gives the best accuracy for HR mesurement

• trail running VO2 estimation is always/often under-estimated

• you definitly want to avoid VO2 estimation with walking activities. They will ruin your score.

I so use VO2 mesurement as an indicator, more interested with its evolution than the values themselves.

I think we always want “more” : more accuracy, more precision, more truth…but our watches, as good as they are, are not medical devices…that’s certainly why most pro users take time to analyse datas, work with coaches (I meen real human coaches…) on it, complete with physiological mesurements…

So, there is probably no big issues with VO2max on SV, just cases it works well, and cases it’s less pertinent.

That’s just my thoughts.

[Frederick Rochette]

@Tieutieu
Thank you for your opinion and I’m aware of everything you’re talking about here.
I always use my cardio belt
It seems obvious that the Vo2Max measurement evolves according to the state of fitness because that’s precisely what it’s for.
I’m trying to show that there’s a problem, because my fitness level has greatly improved in 6 weeks and the Vo2Max measurement hasn’t changed.
Another example today, during a threshold session, with a value of 51.9, whereas on Runalyse I have 55…
The values were much more realistic with my S9P.

[taziden]

@Frederick-Rochette said in What is the problem with Vo2max est on SV?:

@Tieutieu
Another example today, during a threshold session, with a value of 51.9, whereas on Runalyse I have 55…
The values were much more realistic with my S9P.

Not directly related to Vertical but Runalyze gives me a vo2max score 5-10 units below what my S9PP indicates. I always took these as rough estimates that are to be taken with a big grain of salt. Nevertheless, I agree with the fact it should at least mirror the progression you’re feeling/seeing.

[Egika]

@taziden that’s what I found as well. Runanlyze always has lower VO2max than my watches…

[Frederick Rochette]

@Egika In my case, the Vo2Max is over 3 points… while that of my SV is low and not changing.

[stromdiddily]

@Frederick-Rochette said in What is the problem with Vo2max est on SV?:

@Egika In my case, the Vo2Max is over 3 points… while that of my SV is low and not changing.

What are your heart rate zones in Runalyze?

[Frederick Rochette]

@stromdiddily Max HR is the same as SUUNTO 188ppm

[stromdiddily]

@Frederick-Rochette and the rest?

[Egika]

@stromdiddily right - I had not set them in Runalyze. Did it now.Thx!

[Frederick Rochette]

@Egika 40 in Runalyse and 43 in Suunto. I change it so that is the same now (43).
Honestly, I don’t think it’s going to make much difference. The Vo2Max estimate seems to be totally stuck. There’s been no fluctuation (or very little) since I’ve had the SV. What’s more, on Runalyse I have a different estimate after each of my outings, which corresponds well to my state of fitness/performance.
I’m going to wait for the next update and if it doesn’t change I’m going to send it back to Suunto for repair because this is absolutely not normal.

[Egika]

@Frederick-Rochette
I just learned you can set the 5 zones in Runalyze in “configuration - sport types”

Regarding the “stuck” values:
I found that the watch just keeps the old value, if data collected was not enough for a new calculation.
With the FirstBeat algo, the bars were set pretty high regarding data quality. That refers to GPS quality, HR data quality and also the activity needs to cover low to high intensity.

I strongly recommend to check again after the November update, as this is not a defective watch, it is just how the FirstBeat calculation works. Suunto chose to abandon these black box algorithms for a good reason…

[Frederick Rochette]

@Egika But why did it work so well with my Suunto 9 Peak?

[Egika]

@Frederick-Rochette that is a good question… It would probably require digging into the JSON or FIT files of your individual activities…

[Frederick Rochette]

@Egika could someone here help me look at this?

[stromdiddily]

@Egika ooooooh you said November

[Stefan Kersting]

I see that my vo2 max differs when on the mill or when running on the street. On the mill it is a higher than on the street

[Jacobus]

@Frederick-Rochette The ‘‘problem’’ with VO2 Max is that you also have to go to the maximum for a correct measurement.
It’s not called VO2 Max(imal) for nothing.

If you take a VO2 Max test with a sports doctor, you have to give yourself maximum effort until you really can’t do it anymore, on an increasingly faster treadmill, which is very difficult.

While you run they often also do a lactate test to determine your threshold/lactate heart rate.

If someone’s maximum heart rate is 180bpm, your threshold is probably around 160bpm and then you have to reach or exceed that value during your weekly interval and threshold run.
And then a Suunto watch should give a correct VO2Max value.

Running a test in youre Aerobic zone or walking will always give an incorrect value.