Assessment of Peak Oxygen Uptake with a Smartwatch and its Usefulness for Training of Runners

Abstract

Peak oxygen uptake (V˙O 2peak) is an important factor contributing to running performance. Wearable technology may allow the assessment of V˙O 2peakmore frequently and on a larger scale. We aim to i) validate the V˙O 2peakassessed by a smartwatch (Garmin Forerunner 245), and ii) discuss how this parameter may assist to evaluate and guide training procedures. A total of 23 runners (12 female, 11 male; V˙O 2peak: 48.6±6.8 ml·min -1·kg -1) visited the laboratory twice to determine their V˙O 2peakduring a treadmill ramp test. Between laboratory visits, participants wore a smartwatch and performed three outdoor runs to obtain V˙O 2peakvalues provided by the smartwatch. The V˙O 2peakobtained by the criterion measure ranged from 38 to 61 ml·min -1·kg -1. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between the smartwatch and the criterion V˙O 2peakwas 5.7%. The criterion measure revealed a coefficient of variation of 4.0% over the VO2peak range from 38-61 ml·min -1·kg -1. MAPE between the smartwatch and criterion measure was 7.1, 4.1 and -6.2% when analyzing V˙O 2peakranging from 39-45 ml·min -1·kg -1, 45-55 ml·min -1·kg -1or 55-61 ml·min -1·kg -1, respectively.