VO2 Max score drop after iOS 26 update

my VO2 max was alwys 44-48, never below 43 in the last 2 years.. after downloading the latest watch ios 26.02, its now been down the last 2 days to 36.9 and 36.8. everyone is saying algorithm change? why dont you say that up front

I have a new Series 11 watch. Have had it for only about one month. I bicycle almost every day, between 20 and 35 miles, with lots of climbing (2500 feet of elevation gain in many of these rides). However I go on brisk walks maybe every other day, about 3 miles. The watch reports my VO2 Max as climbing steadily since the watch was purchased, it was originally in the "below average" regime but is now in the "above average regime."

I gather that VO2 Max is based only on walks and runs, but not on bicycling. Not sure how to interpret VO2 Max given my workouts, maybe I should ignore it.

My watch was updated to 26.2 on the first day I had it so it has always been on 26.2.

I guess my question would be: is this a meaningful metric in my case, given the way the Apple Watch calculates it.

I even had a drop from 34,2 to 23,8 in a day and now further to 23,1

Mine dropped from 35.5 to 31.8 in the last 4 weeks, no changes in my exercise routines.

Everybody having this issue should let Apple know directly about it by using the Feedback link, as this is the only way to reach them.

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

Thank you for providing the feedback, let's hope Apple will fix that soon.