Jogging/Running vs Walking?

Running is harder on your joints relative to speed-walking, in the same way that speed-walking is harder on your joints than walking, and walking is harder on your joints than lying on a hammock with a nice margarita.

Fabulous! Love this!

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,00.html

I just remembered where I read the article on calorie burn!!!

Would it help if I told you "Give me an opinion and I'll give you the statistic to prove it"? I'm no expert but I do read a lot. There is a lot of proof that running is actually good for your bone density and that it's when we stop challenging our body that our bodies start to deteriorate. And then there are plenty of people who were runners and can't anymore . Only conclusion you can draw is the safe one- Do what YOU can Do. There's no telling if all those ex runners were also eating horribly un-nutritious foods (unlikely- but you know some of them were), or if the runners still going just never ran on pavement, or if barefoot runners last longer than shod runners.

All I know is I love running, and I love running far. I also love walking, but it's a lot slower....

Agree'd

check out this info about Sister Madonna Buder...She began training at age 48 at the behest of Father John who told her it was a way of tweaking, "mind, body, and spirit" and for the relaxation and calmness it can bring an individual. She completed her first Iron Man event at age 55 and has continued ever since.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Buder

I tried jogging at 258 and my knees were killing me, I am trying it again now that I am under 200lbs and dont have the same issue! I'm doing it because i know its great for fat burning

Part of the problem with this type of discussion is that terms like "hard on your knees" are used without a common definition.

Running is a high-impact activity. Because of that, running is associated with a higher rate of injury. However, the injuries associated with running are not usually *degenerative* type injuries--i.e. deterioration of the cartilage or bones themselves. The vast majority of injuries are *overuse* injuries to soft tissue--tendons, muscles and ligaments.

So, if you are referring to actual joint damage, then the statement "running is bad for your joints" in NOT true. In fact, running can actually strengthen the joints.

If you modify the statement to read "running has a higher rate of injury to soft tissue", then the answer is YES--very much so.

The risk can be managed through proper footware, appropriate training plans, stretching, muscle strengthening, etc. However, given the increased stresses of running, some people will find that they just can't do it. Running will expose any biomechanical defects.

In terms of calorie burn, it is all about intensity. In most cases, running is inherently more intense than walking, and thus will result in higher calorie burn. There is a small range of racewalking speeds where the racewalking stride is less efficient than the running stride and so racewalking will burn more calories (i.e. has a higher intensity) than running at the same speed. However, for most people that will never be an issue. In most cases, if you have the ability to race walk at that high of a speed, you have the ability to run even faster, so it wouldn't make sense to walk unless there was a physical reason why you could not run.

The equations that are used to predict energy expenditure for walking or running are only valid for a certain range of speeds. For walking, it's 4.2 mph and slower; for running, it's 5.0 mph and faster. If you are running slower than 5.0 mph (12:00 per mile), you are most likely burning more calories than you would walking at that same speed, however there is too much variation between individuals to develop a valid prediction equation.

The old saying that "you burn the same calories per mile, regardless of speed" is only partly correct. It is true when comparing walking speeds to walking speeds and running speeds to running speeds, but NOT for comparing walking speeds to running speeds. In other words, a person walking 3.0 mph will burn the same number of calories per mile as they will walking 4.0 mph, and someone running 6.0 mph will burn the same number of calories per mile as they will running 7.0 mph, but someone walking 4.0 mph will burn significantly fewer calories per mile than they will running 6.0 mph.

Not everyone can run--the impact demands of running and the intensity of running are too much for some people. Not everyone wants to run.

The energy cost of walking can be boosted in a number of ways:

1. Walking at an incline--this is esp useful on a treadmill. Turn down the speed, crank up the hill, let go of the handrails, and you can approximate the calorie burn of running.

2. "Power walking"--an exaggerated arm swing (thumbs come up to shoulder height)--with or without hand weights--can increase the intensity of your walk.

3. Walking with a weighted vest--personally, I don't think this is as effective, and it could increase the risk of injury, but there are some ways to incorporate this in a walking workout.

4. Race walking -- this can be very effective, but there is a higher learning curve associated with it--you really have to work at learning the technique.

As I have always said, people should not be afraid of running--but people should not feel compelled to do it either. Like any exercise modality it has its pros and cons. You just want to make use you are basing your decision on facts, not "sayings".

One way to make sure it's not so hard on the joints is trail running. Plenty of statistics out there that show running on ground and earth is a lot better than running on the hard surface of the road.

But there is some good news for if the knees give out in old age. By that time, I should be able to qualify for the Silver Sneakers swim club down at the Y.

Part of the problem with this type of discussion is that terms like "hard on your knees" are used without a common definition.

Running is a high-impact activity. Because of that, running is associated with a higher rate of injury. However, the injuries associated with running are not usually *degenerative* type injuries--i.e. deterioration of the cartilage or bones themselves. The vast majority of injuries are *overuse* injuries to soft tissue--tendons, muscles and ligaments.

So, if you are referring to actual joint damage, then the statement "running is bad for your joints" in NOT true. In fact, running can actually strengthen the joints. <snip>

EXCELLENT POST! Thank you!!!

I have been researchingg this as well because I have been jogging alot lately. According to many articles I have found, the only way running will be negatively impacting your knees is if you already have arthritis or something of the sort.http://m.livescience.com/36241-5-experts-answer-running-bad-knees.html

I am a great lover of these exercises. I think running,jogging and walking all are best exercises for fitness. I like to do these exercises everyday. To maintain weight these exercises are perfect for everyone.