Running versus walking
Both walking and running are great cardiovascular exercises. Also known as aerobic exercises, it makes our hearts beat faster thus making us breath harder. It has its health benefits like increased blood circulation, improved memory, diabetes control and healthier cholesterol levels among others.
As compiled by contributing editors of WebMD, running and walking also reduces the risk of dementia, helps us get better sleep and be on a happier mood and for the sexually adventurous, better erectile function.
But which is better, running (vigorous intensity) or walking (moderate intensity)?
Vigorous activity is when our heart rate had beaten faster and we’re breathing fast and hard. Generally, vigorous activity is twice as much as moderate intensity activity. Health professionals recommend 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week or 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Ergo, running burns twice the calories per minute than walking.
We might think that brisk walking is just like a slow jog but as per experts, when we run, we’re airborne each stride and every time we land, our body absorbs the impact of about three times our body weight. As to walking, we always have one foot on the ground at time.
Runners, because they generally have leaner physiques than walkers, have lesser risks of getting osteoarthritis. But according to research, about 20 to 80 percent of them get hurt by running, mainly due to overuse. Those running often and much farther are more prone to injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fractures, runner’s knee, achilles tendonitis and iliotibial band syndrome.
The risk of walkers getting injured are very much lesser. But we’ll have to walk longer and more frequent to get the same benefits as running.
So which is which? It’s more on personal choice. Me and my wife had been comfortable with walking and it has helperd me a lot in losing weight and maintaining it. If some of us can combine walking and running, so be it.
- Latest
