Cardio fitness score huge drop?

[Doublechoc]

Hi I hope someone can help. My cardio fitness has always shown excellent at around 51 however it’s now dropped to an average 26.

This doesn’t make sense as I am more active that I’ve ever been.  Due to a change at work I am now a floor Walker at a mass vaccination hub doing 12 hour shifts.

My steps and activity levels (up to 600 active minutes a day) have shot right up however wondering why my cardio level has nearly halved?

Prior to being a floor Walker I would do regular brisk long walks where my heat rate was likely more elevated for longer periods. My walking now during work is consistent but probably shorter periods at speed although my active minutes have increased significantly.

Any insight why my fitness level has dropped so significantly when I am so active would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

[Heybales]

In reality walking can only provide so much of a workout to your cardiovascular system, because it is usually topped out for speed.

Have you lost weight? Then it's even less of a workout.

Has your HR during the walks gone down? Then it's even less of a workout.

Frankly 51, since that's supposed to relate to VO2max, was probably a high estimate, just from your stated activity. There are 4 day a week runners that would like to have an actual measured VO2max that high.

26 still sounds a tad low, but really walking for most folks has been done since they are a kid, and once you are active with it it's not improving your CV system much past a certain point.

Whatever formula they are using to make up that score uses length of workouts, likely avgHR - and I'm betting both those are lower.

[Doublechoc]

Thanks for replying Heybales, i am more active now than I have been when I was measuring 51, my rhr is still 47/48bpm. My working days I am doing approx 45000 steps a day and the others days. 18-25k.  I haven’t lost weight and I guess my average HR when walking at work has gone down despite being on my feet walking up to 11 hours  a day so maybe it’s that. 
Anyway it’s all very strange doesn’t make sense but like you say it’s formulas and at the end of the day it is what it is! 

thanks for taking the time to reply.