You are here: Features > Smart Coaching > Running Index

Running Index

Running Index offers an easy way to monitor running performance changes. A running index value is an estimate of maximal aerobic running performance, which is influenced by aerobic fitness and running economy. By recording your Running Index over time, you can monitor progress. Improvement means that running at a given pace requires less of an effort, or that your pace is faster at a given level of exertion.

In V800, Running Index takes the effect of uphills and downhills into account. At a given pace, running uphill is physiologically more stressful than running on a level surface, and running downhill is physiologically less stressful than running on a level surface.

To receive the most accurate information on your performance, make sure you have set your HRmax and HRrest values.

Running Index is calculated during every training session when heart rate and the GPS function is on / Stride Sensor Bluetooth® Smart is in use, and when the following requirements apply:

  • Sport profile used is a running type sport (Running, Road Running, Trail running etc.)
  • Speed should be 6 km/h / 3,75 mi/h or faster and duration 12 minutes minimum
  • Altitude data must be available (otherwise up- and downhills are not taken into account)
  • Your heart rate must be above 40% of your HRR (heart rate reserve) value. HRR is the difference between maximum heart rate and resting heart rate.
  • If you use a stride sensor, it must be calibrated. If you use GPS it must be set to High accuracy.

To receive the most accurate information on your performance, make sure you have set your HRmax and HRrest values. Calculation begins when you start recording the session. During a session, you may stop twice at traffic lights, for example, without interrupting the calculation. After your session, V800 displays a Running Index value and stores the result in the training summary.

Compare your result to the table below.

Short-term analysis

Men

Age / Years Very low Low Fair Moderate Good Very good Elite
20-24 < 32 32-37 38-43 44-50 51-56 57-62 > 62
25-29 < 31 31-35 36-42 43-48 49-53 54-59 > 59
30-34 < 29 29-34 35-40 41-45 46-51 52-56 > 56
35-39 < 28 28-32 33-38 39-43 44-48 49-54 > 54
40-44 < 26 26-31 32-35 36-41 42-46 47-51 > 51
45-49 < 25 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-43 44-48 > 48
50-54 < 24 24-27 28-32 33-36 37-41 42-46 > 46
55-59 < 22 22-26 27-30 31-34 35-39 40-43 > 43
60-65 < 21 21-24 25-28 29-32 33-36 37-40 > 40

Women

Age / Years Very low Low Fair Moderate Good Very good Elite
20-24 < 27 27-31 32-36 37-41 42-46 47-51 > 51
25-29 < 26 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-44 45-49 > 49
30-34 < 25 25-29 30-33 34-37 38-42 43-46 > 46
35-39 < 24 24-27 28-31 32-35 36-40 41-44 > 44
40-44 < 22 22-25 26-29 30-33 34-37 38-41 > 41
45-49 < 21 21-23 24-27 28-31 32-35 36-38 > 38
50-54 < 19 19-22 23-25 26-29 30-32 33-36 > 36
55-59 < 18 18-20 21-23 24-27 28-30 31-33 > 33
60-65 < 16 16-18 19-21 22-24 25-27 28-30 > 30

The classification is based on a literature review of 62 studies where VO2max was measured directly in healthy adult subjects in the USA, Canada and 7 European countries. Reference: Shvartz E, Reibold RC. Aerobic fitness norms for males and females aged 6 to 75 years: a review. Aviat Space Environ Med; 61:3-11, 1990.

There may be some daily variation in the Running Indexes. Many factors influence Running Index. The value you receive on a given day is affected by changes in running circumstances, for example different surface, wind or temperature, in addition to other factors.

Long-term analysis

The single Running Index values form a trend that predicts your success in running certain distances.

The following chart estimates the duration that a runner can achieve in certain distances when performing maximally. Use your long-term Running Index average in the interpretation of the chart. The prediction is best for those Running Index values that have been received at speed and running circumstances similar to the target performance.

Running Index Cooper test (m) 5 km (h:mm:ss) 10 km (h:mm:ss) 21.098 km (h:mm:ss) 42.195 km (h:mm:ss)
36 1800 0:36:20 1:15:10 2:48:00 5:43:00
38 1900 0:34:20 1:10:50 2:38:00 5:24:00
40 2000 0:32:20 1:07:00 2:29:30 5:06:00
42 2100 0:30:40 1:03:30 2:21:30 4:51:00
44 2200 0:29:10 1:00:20 2:14:30 4:37:00
46 2300 0:27:50 0:57:30 2:08:00 4:24:00
48 2400 0:26:30 0:55:00 2:02:00 4:12:00
50 2500 0:25:20 0:52:40 1:57:00 4:02:00
52 2600 0:24:20 0:50:30 1:52:00 3:52:00
54 2700 0:23:20 0:48:30 1:47:30 3:43:00
56 2800 0:22:30 0:46:40 1:43:30 3:35:00
58 2900 0:21:40 0:45:00 1:39:30 3:27:00
60 3000 0:20:50 0:43:20 1:36:00 3:20:00
62 3100 0:20:10 0:41:50 1:32:30 3:13:00
64 3200 0:19:30 0:40:30 1:29:30 3:07:00
66 3300 0:18:50 0:39:10 1:26:30 3:01:00
68 3350 0:18:20 0:38:00 1:24:00 2:55:00
70 3450 0:17:50 0:36:50 1:21:30 2:50:00
72 3550 0:17:10 0:35:50 1:19:00 2:45:00
74 3650 0:16:40 0:34:50 1:17:00 2:40:00
76 3750 0:16:20 0:33:50 1:14:30 2:36:00
78 3850 0:15:50 0:33:00 1:12:30 2:32:00