VO2 max bug in WatchOS 6?

[mkelly]

Has anyone noticed a change in the VO2 Max readings from your Apple Watch after you upgraded to WatchOS 6? Mine dropped by quite a bit, and it seems to be reporting the *exact* same VO2 Max value after every workout. Normally there is a little bit of variation.

I’m thinking it’s a bug. Just wondered if anyone else has encountered the same things?

 

[deeddawg]

Haven’t seen that here, I’m getting different and appropriate VO2max estimates

 

[Toonartist]

Has anyone noticed a change in the VO2 Max readings from your Apple Watch after you upgraded to WatchOS 6? Mine dropped by quite a bit, and it seems to be reporting the *exact* same VO2 Max value after every workout. Normally there is a little bit of variation.

I’m thinking it’s a bug. Just wondered if anyone else has encountered the same things?

Yes. dropped quite a bit then stayed the same for the next 6 runs. I Just updated to 6.1 Beta 2 and it did change a little but not much. My wife's was doing the Same then it Started going up by 4 each run. Going off her current readings, she's going to be going to the Tokyo Olympics next year 😂😂😂

 

[someoneoutthere]

My readings jumped up by about 10 points. However, I might be encountering another bug - I only get VO2 readings for outdoor activities (walk, run, etc.) but nothing for indoor activities such as long walks or runs (90 minutes+) on an actual track, not the treadmill. Does anyone have any insight on that?

 

[iPhysicist]

Vo2 only works only for works for outdoor walk and run. Nothing else.

edit:
must have had stroke while typing that...
Vo2 only works for outdoor walk and run. Nothing else.
I feel better now.

 

[matrix07]

My readings jumped up by about 10 points. However, I might be encountering another bug - I only get VO2 readings for outdoor activities (walk, run, etc.) but nothing for indoor activities such as long walks or runs (90 minutes+) on an actual track, not the treadmill. Does anyone have any insight on that?

VO2 max has never worked with indoor activities. It needs GPS.

 

[coldwaves]

VO2 max has never worked with indoor activities. It needs GPS.

Yes, I never got a VO2max estimate after indoor activity. I have only got VO2max from outdoor running or walking. Outdoor cycling does not give me VO2max estimate. Hiking did not either although I have only used Apple Watch for Hiking once.

 

[matrix07]

As far as I understand, it only registers on outdoor walking and running, and only for a certain period of time.

 

[ftaok]

I’ve always noticed a significant drop in VO2max right after a big iOS update or an unpair/repair.
Takes to get it back to the right number.

 

[Toonartist]

I’ve always noticed a significant drop in VO2max right after a big iOS update or an unpair/repair.
Takes to get it back to the right number.
View attachment 867052
View attachment 867053

I think this is what happened do me. I had to re pair the watch with my phone about the same time I updated to watchOS6

 

[coldwaves]

I’ve always noticed a significant drop in VO2max right after a big iOS update or an unpair/repair.
Takes to get it back to the right number.
View attachment 867052
View attachment 867053

I also noticed a sudden and significant change in my VO2max right after updating to watch OS 6. My VO2max was around 43.5 ml/kg min before the update and jumped to around 48 ml/kg min for two workouts after the update. But in the third run I did after updating, the VO2max returns back to around 43.5 ml/kg min.

 

[TheBing1980]

Vo2 only works only for works for outdoor walk and run. Nothing else.

edit:
must have had stroke while typing that...
Vo2 only works for outdoor walk and run. Nothing else.
I feel better now.

Do you use the Apple workout app exclusively?

I like use the Nike running app, but it seems like I only get a VO2 max recording 1 out of every 15 (Outdoor) runs. 😤

 

[NME42]

It seems I only get updates when I take my iPhone with me. VO2max is updated with every running activity but always the same value. And this value was determined three weeks ago when I recorded a walk and had my iPhone with me.

 

[TheBing1980]

It seems I only get updates when I take my iPhone with me. VO2max is updated with every running activity but always the same value. And this value was determined three weeks ago when I recorded a walk and had my iPhone with me.

That explains why I only have a few entries. I rarely ever take my phone along.

Thank you so much for sharing that!

 

[spaceman_spiff]

I received a new VO2 value for every outdoor run I took my series 3 on. When I bought my 5 on release day, it just plain stopped giving me values. December 5 is when I finally started getting regular values again. I don’t know what is magical about that date though. It looks like it was a week-ish prior to 6.1.1, so I have no idea. I almost thought about returning my watch since I’m a runner and that is useful for my training. all of my runs are an hour or over, so I easily exceeded that threshold. I only carry my phone with me when I’m running with my baby jogger. Otherwise, I’m without, and on LTE.

Maybe new watch needs so many runs to “calibrate” or something? I dunno.

 

[jhfenton]

I noticed with WatchOS 6 that they appeared to introducing some significant smoothing to the number displayed after each run. For the first 9-10 months of the year it would bounce around while trending up. (My average for January was 42.49. By October my average was 50.46.) Since early October, there has been a steady, tiny, almost daily increase from 49.84 on October 4 to 51.43* today. (The trend makes sense for me, because I am still improving my fitness. Once I get back to a plateau, the estimate should also plateau and start ticking gradually up and down.)

I get estimates on outdoor runs from my Series 4 regardless of whether I take my phone. I do not get estimates on indoor runs.

* Based on my most recent race, that number is about right. (I ran the Seattle Marathon in 3:08:46 on December 1.)

 

[TheBing1980]

I’ve done3 outdoor runs recently with the workout app and got VO2 readings each time. I’m not sure if the occasions when I did not receive readings was because I used the Nike running app or because it was prior to 6.1.

 

[jhfenton]

I’ve done3 outdoor runs recently with the workout app and got VO2 readings each time. I’m not sure if the occasions when I did not receive readings was because I used the Nike running app or because it was prior to 6.1.

I would guess that it was the Nike running app. I've had mixed results with third-party apps and always returned to the stock Workout app. (I do occasionally use Intervals Pro, but it's been a while. I'd have to go back and see if Health generated VO2max estimates when I used it.)

I've continued to see a very gradual and steady uptick reflecting significant rounding. I guess it makes sense in the long run. A single run, good or bad doesn't tell you much, especially when taking into account weather, illness, fatigue, etc.

 

[NME42]

No updates in VO2max since November. No matter what app I use for recording the workout.
Quite certain that I only get updated values when I take my iPhone with me when going outside for training.

 

[jhfenton]

No updates in VO2max since November. No matter what app I use for recording the workout.
Quite certain that I only get updated values when I take my iPhone with me when going outside for training.

If you run outside using the default Workout app on your Watch and don't get VO2max estimates, then you should report it as a bug. I seldom run with my phone.

If I look at tonight's new entry, it specifically says that the source ("Fuente") is my Apple Watch Series 4.