Key Takeaways
1. New Metrics Introduced: Garmin’s Forerunner 970 smartwatch and HRM 600 chest strap feature new metrics: Step Speed Loss (SSL), Running Economy, and Running Tolerance.
2. Step Speed Loss (SSL): SSL measures speed decrease at ground contact, aiming for a lower value for better performance, with real-time tracking available on the Garmin Connect app.
3. Running Economy: This metric assesses efficiency during running, measured in ml/kg/km, with a lower score indicating better energy use and less waste.
4. Running Tolerance: This tool evaluates how the body handles different workouts, helping to prevent overtraining by ensuring acute impact loads stay below tolerance scores.
5. Availability and Pricing: The Forerunner 970 will launch on May 21st, priced at $749.99 in the US and €749.99 in Europe, with the new features exclusive to this model.
Garmin has shared additional details regarding its latest Running Dynamics and Physiological Measurements tools. The new Forerunner 970 smartwatch, along with the HRM 600 chest strap heart rate monitor, introduced metrics like Step Speed Loss (SSL), Running Economy, and Running Tolerance. Detailed descriptions of each of these metrics can now be found on the company’s website.
Understanding Step Speed Loss
Step Speed Loss (SSL) measures how much you decrease your speed each time your foot makes contact with the ground. This is monitored through a heart rate device and is shown in cm/s, by calculating the difference between your initial speed at ground contact and your slowest forward speed. Users should aim for a lower value here. Additionally, there’s a related metric called Step Speed Loss Percent (SSL%), which is your SSL divided by your current running pace. Both metrics can be seen in real-time or analyzed in graphs on the Garmin Connect app.
Efficiency Through Running Economy
Next, we have the Running Economy metric, which shows how efficiently your body is working. It is measured in milliliters of oxygen used per kilogram of body weight per kilometer (ml/kg/km). This metric considers factors such as heart rate, vertical oscillation, SSL, and others. To get an accurate reading, users must wear a heart rate monitor. A lower score indicates better efficiency, meaning less energy is wasted during your run.
Monitoring Your Running Tolerance
Lastly, Garmin has introduced a Running Tolerance metric that assesses how your body responds to different workouts. This tool can help identify harmful patterns, such as insufficient rest after intense sessions, which could affect your performance. Ideally, your acute impact load, determined from your recent workouts, should remain below your tolerance score.
At present, these three new features related to Running Dynamics and Physiological Measurements appear to be exclusive to the Forerunner 970 smartwatch. This model is set to launch on May 21st, with a recommended retail price of $749.99 in the US and €749.99 in Europe.
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