I recently noticed that my VO2 max estimate had increased over the past month.
While I am happy with this, I was wondering what had caused this.
My weight has been stable for several years.
For past 18 months, I ride 4 days per week, about 6 hours total.
2 VO2 max sessions, 1 zone 2 (2-3 hr) and 1 Zwift race.
My VO2 max has been 42-41.
Age is 60.
About a month ago, I started swimming once a week and doing leg presses in the weight room once a week.
I have been completing the new challenges in Zwift and these VO2/sprint sessions have a lot of 30 sec intervals whereas before, my intervals tended to be 2-5 min.
If the VO2 max formula incorporates short duration intervals, am I just improving my training to that short interval or providing more accurate data for that interval or, am I really seeing an improvement in fitness.
As much as I would like to believe I’m fitter, the gain has occurred too quickly and I think I’m seeing a testing bias.
If you go to the power page, you will see your estimated VO2max value.
If you click on the score, it will show a pop-up with the explanation, and a link to a paper. Have a look to see what your max 5-min effort is.
V̇O2 max is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption and is usually displayed in ml per kg of body weight. Accurate measurement of VO2 max requires a graded exercise test in a lab with a metabolic cart. The estimate displayed here is derived from 5 minute peak power output using a formula from 5 min Test to Predict Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Road Cycling
In many cases, untrained athletes start off at a low level and can see large gains over time. If you aren’t training, testing and racing at your physiological ceiling, you could see gains that appear unlimitef; if that makes sense.
I will check out the article but you may have answered my main question.
I was wondering specifically what interval the VO2 max uses for the calculation and if I had previously just not been performing that interval and the improvement that I’m seeing is because now I am.
The 5 minute interval has always been one that I’ve done.
So it correct, that improvement in calculated VO2 max are basically improvements in 5 min power?