Garmin Fenix 5 Sapphire Edition Owner's Manual

higher cadence than less experienced runners. However, taller runners typically have slightly slower cadences, longer strides, and 

slightly higher vertical oscillation. Vertical ratio is your vertical oscillation divided by stride length. It is not correlated with height.
NOTE: The color gauge for ground contact time balance is different (

).

Go to 

 for more information on running dynamics. For additional theories and interpretations of running dynamics 

data, you can search reputable running publications and websites.

 Purple

>95

>183 spm

<6.4 cm

<6.1%

<218 ms

 Blue

70–95

174–183 spm

6.4–8.1 cm

6.1–7.4%

218–248 ms

 Green

30–69

164–173 spm

8.2–9.7 cm

7.5–8.6%

249–277 ms

 Orange 5–29

153–163 spm

9.8–11.5 cm

8.7–10.1%

278–308 ms

 Red

<5

<153 spm

>11.5 cm

>10.1%

>308 ms

Ground contact time balance measures your running symmetry and appears as a percentage of your total ground contact time. For 

example, 51.3% with an arrow pointing left indicates the runner is spending more time on the ground when on the left foot. If your 

data screen displays both numbers, for example 48–52, 48% is the left foot and 52% is the right foot.

 Red

 Orange

 Green

 Orange

 Red

Poor

Fair

Good

Fair

Poor

5%

25%

40%

25%

5%

Ground Contact Time Balance >52.2% L 50.8–52.2% L 50.7% L–50.7% R 50.8–52.2% R >52.2% R

While developing and testing running dynamics, the Garmin team found correlations between injuries and greater imbalances with 

certain runners. For many runners, ground contact time balance tends to deviate further from 50–50 when running up or down hills. 

Most running coaches agree that a symmetrical running form is good. Elite runners tend to have quick and balanced strides.
You can watch the color gauge or data field during your run or view the summary on your Garmin Connect account after your run. 

As with the other running dynamics data, ground contact time balance is a quantitative measurement to help you learn about your 

running form.

If running dynamics data does not appear, you can try these 

tips.
• Make sure you have a running dynamics accessory, such as 

the HRM-Tri accessory.
Accessories with running dynamics have   on the front of the 

module.

• Pair the running dynamics accessory with your fēnix device 

again, according to the instructions.

• If the running dynamics data display shows only zeros, make 

sure the accessory is worn right-side up.
NOTE: Ground contact time and balance appears only while 

running. It is not calculated while walking.

These performance measurements require a few activities using 

wrist-based heart rate or a compatible chest heart rate monitor. 

The measurements are estimates that can help you track and 

understand your training activities and race performances. 

These estimates are provided and supported by Firstbeat.

NOTE: The estimates may seem inaccurate at first. The device 

requires you to complete a few activities to learn about your 

performance.
Training status: Training status shows you how your training 

affects your fitness and performance. Your training status is 

based on changes to your training load and VO2 max. over 

an extended time period.

VO2 max.: VO2 max. is the maximum volume of oxygen (in 

milliliters) you can consume per minute per kilogram of body 

weight at your maximum performance.

Recovery time: The recovery time displays how much time 

remains before you are fully recovered and ready for the next 

hard workout.

Training load: Training load is the sum of your excess post-

exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) over the last 7 days. 

EPOC is an estimate of how much energy it takes for your 

body to recover after exercise.

Predicted race times: Your device uses the VO2 max. estimate 

and published data sources to provide a target race time 

based on your current state of fitness. This projection also 

presumes you have completed the proper training for the 

race.

HRV stress test: The HRV (heart rate variability) stress test 

requires a Garmin chest heart rate monitor. The device 

records your heart rate variability while standing still for 3 

minutes. It provides your overall stress level. The scale is 1 to 

100, and a lower score indicates a lower stress level.

Performance condition: Your performance condition is a real-

time assessment after 6 to 20 minutes of activity. It can be 

added as a data field so you can view your performance 

condition during the rest of your activity. It compares your 

real-time condition to your average fitness level.

Functional threshold power (FTP): The device uses your user 

profile information from the initial setup to estimate your FTP. 

For a more accurate rating, you can conduct a guided test.

Lactate threshold: Lactate threshold requires a chest heart rate 

monitor. Lactate threshold is the point where your muscles 

start to rapidly fatigue. Your device measures your lactate 

threshold level using heart rate data and pace.

Performance notifications are alerts that appear upon 

completion of your activity. You can turn on notifications for 

performance measurements, such as your performance 

condition and recovery time. Some performance notifications 

Heart Rate Features

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