Hi
Im discussing this issue with Wahoo support myself.
First of all, after googling, I think this could be dependant of which power meter you use.
Wahoo has had known issues with calculating power average from Assioma pedals.
In my case, Im using a Quarq, Headunit is Wahoo Bolt, auto pause is set to OFF and include zeros in average power is set to ON.
In my discussion with Wahoo Im using the following as an example:
Wahoo Bolt:
Total time = 2h13min40sec = 8020sec
Total work = 1311 kJ
AvgPwr = 150W
This data itself must be wrong since CalculatedAvgPwr = Total work / total time = 1311 / 8020 = 164 W
So I started uploading the FIT-file to other apps to compare:
DCRainmaker analyzer:
AvgPwr = 172W
Trainerroad:
Total work = 1375 kJ
AvgPwr = 172W
CalculatedAvgPwr = Total work / total time = 1375 / 8020 = 171 W → OK
Strava (using moving time):
Total time = 2h13min40sec = 8020sec, Moving time = 2h06min50sec = 7610sec
Total work = 1395 kJ
AvgPwr = 183W
CalculatedAvgPwr = Total work / moving time = 1395 / 7610 = 183 W → OK
I can however look at 2h13min in the Strava power curve which shows 172W.
TrainingPeaks:
Total work = 1376 kJ
AvgPwr = 150W
This data itself must be wrong since CalculatedAvgPwr = Total work / total time = 1376 / 8020 = 172 W
I then found out, or at least, its my theory, that TrainingPeaks only present summary of AvgPwr based on calculation from headunit.
If I go into the analyzer in TraingPeaks and select the whole ride in the “section selector”, TP then calculates a new AvgPwr = 171 W
I then did some comparison of power curves from Wahoo app, Strava and Trainerroad:
In Wahoo app Im limited to look at 2hAvgPwr = 177 W
In Strava 2hAvgPwr = 176 W
In Trainerroad 2hAvgPwr = 177 W
So even if I assume that I produce zero watts for the remaining 14min I would get a
AvgPwr = 177 x 120min/134min = 159W
which basically means that Wahoos AvgPwr of 150 W must be wrong, it couldnt even be right based on their own power curve.
The comparison of power curves also eliminates Wahoos standard response which is that the Wahoo app is more accurate since Wahoo app is using 4 Hz data instead of 1 Hz data. Samplerate(Hz) will have small or non effect of AvgPwr for a normal ride, it will however affect data as MaxPwr which is only 1 data point.
To summarize, Im 100% confident that Wahoo calculates AvgPwr wrong, I have only seen this effect on rides including coasting though.
For indoor rides without coasting AvgPwr seems fine.
For outdoor laps without coasting AvgPwr seems fine.