TotalEffort
· vV2.1
About
Calculates total effort combining distance and elevation gain throughout your activity.
Formula
Total Effort = (Distance in km) + (Total Ascent in meters ÷ 100)
How it works
Takes elapsed distance and converts to kilometers
Adds total ascent divided by 100 for elevation factor
Cumulative calculation from activity start
Combines horizontal and vertical effort into one metric
Example
10km distance + 500m ascent = 10 + 5 = 15 effort units
Scientific Background
The elevation-to-distance conversion factor (100m = 1km equivalent) is based on exercise physiology research. According to Scarf's 2007 analysis of hill runners and subsequent studies:
Naismith's Rule: Every 1m of elevation gain ≈ 7.92m horizontal travel
Mountain Running Studies: 100m elevation gain adds equivalent effort of 800m-1km flat distance
Gender-specific ratios: Female athletes ~1:10, Male athletes ~1:8 (elevation:distance)
This data field uses the conservative 1:10 ratio (100m elevation = 1km distance equivalent) which aligns with hiking and endurance sports literature.
References:
Scarf (2007). "Analysis of hill runners performance data"
Exercise physiology studies on grade-adjusted pace calculations
Mountain running time analysis research
Usage
Perfect for hiking, trail running, and activities with elevation changes where you want to quantify total effort rather than just distance or time.
Enjoy this data field?
If TotalEffort helps you track your adventures better, consider buying me a coffee! Your support keeps me motivated to add new features and support more devices.
PayPal: [email protected]
Got ideas for improvements? I'd love to hear them! Send your suggestions along with your coffee tip, or use the "Contact Developer" option. Every feature request is carefully considered, and user feedback shapes future updates.
Thank you for being part of the TotalEffort community!
What's new
New devices supported, labelled