Running Vs. Walking: The Debate Continues

Every other person you talk to will tell you something different. Some people swear that running is the only form of exercise; others claim that walking is far superior. So which is it? Should you walk or run? Depending on one's needs and preferences, either could be the one.

When you run, your muscles exert more effort than normal to propel your body weight into the air, and to absorb the impact of landing. From this perspective, running burns more calories than walking. If you run at 5 mph, compared to walking at 2.5 mph, then you will complete the distance in half the time. In other words, even though you burn more calories on a per-minute basis while running, you will complete the mile sooner. If you walk the mile, you will burn slightly fewer calories per minute, but carried out over a mile, the total calorie burn will come out relatively close. At the end of the day, you might burn a few more calories by running a mile.

When you envision running, you probably will fall into one of two categories. Either you love it or you hate it; sometimes it is even a love/hate relationship. But what makes people love it? Furthermore, what makes people who hate it keep doing it? It is likely that the benefits of running outweigh the hatred. There are as many reasons to run as there are runners. 60% of people start running to loose weight. Some run to get fit, fight off disease and aging, provide relief from stress and promote mental health. Others see running as a social event. What ever the reason, runners benefit both physically and mentally from running.

However, running is not right for everyone. Some people need a lower impact and less aggressive activity. For those people, walking rules! Like running, people walk for a variety of the same reasons, many of them the same as runners. Generally, walking can improve ones over-all health. It keeps you fit, helps control weight, or perhaps aid in recovery from a period illness. It is something that can be done with children or older family members; it needn't cost you a thing, and can fit in with any lifestyle, income bracket, culture or domestic circumstance.

According to the U.S. Department of Health, regular participation in physical activity (like walking) is associated with reduced mortality rates for both older and younger adults. In other words, walkers live longer! In particular, walking has a high impact on cardiovascular disease. Fit and active individuals have around half the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to unfit and inactive people. This level of risk is similar to smoking, high blood pressure or high cholesterol in causing heart disease. Fit walkers are less likely to fall and suffer injuries such as hip fractures because the bones are strengthened, less likely to sustain injury because joints have a better range of movement and muscles are more flexible, less prone to depression and anxiety, tend to be good sleepers, and are better able to control body weight.

So which is it? Are you a walker or a runner? The choice is a personal one, depending on your needs. So take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine, grab a pair of shoes and hit the road! Whether it's walking or running, it doesn't matter- just get out there!