Speed Walking Vs. Running

Walking and running are considered to be among the best aerobic activities, in terms of a total body workout for physical fitness as well as weight loss. Even though both these activities stress on the use of the large muscles in our body in order to get the desired results, people tend to get confused when it comes to choosing between the two. When making a choice between these two aerobic activities, one has to take certain points of distinction between them into consideration.

Speed Walking
Speed walking, also referred to as power walking or race walking, is actually a long distance athletic event, wherein individuals are expected to walk according to the stipulated guidelines of the sport. More recently, this athletic event has found a place for itself in the long list of aerobic activities for physical fitness and weight loss. The fact that this activity is easy to do, and has a fewer risks as compared to various forms of running, makes it one of the most popular aerobic activity among the people of various age groups today.

Running or Jogging
Running is a more intense activity, wherein both the feet of the person are off the ground at a given point of time. This is in stark contrast of speed walking, wherein either foot of the person is in contact with the ground at any given point of time. Most popular versions of running are jogging, wherein a considerable distance is covered in a long span of time, and sprint, wherein individuals run fast over a short distance. This form of aerobic activity is more popular among the youngsters, as the several health risks associated with it tend to keep aged people and people with underlying health problems away from it. However, running also has a series of advantages of its own, some of which even outweigh the health benefits of walking.

Speed Walking Vs. Running
The most prominent differences between the two are related to the intensity and the health risks of these activities. In terms of intensity, running has an edge over speed walking. If the calories burnt are taken into consideration, even the slowest form of running, i.e. jogging, tends to burn as much calories as burned by speed walking, in the same duration of time. The impact of these aerobic activities is directly proportional to their intensity. Speed walking being slower, has a low impact on the body, while running being faster has a high impact on the body. This also means that running has the tendency of demonstrating the desired effects in a short time as compared to speed walking.

As far as health risks are concerned, speed walking does take an upper hand over running. Studies have revealed that the people who take to running are more vulnerable to certain health risks than those who take to speed walking. While running, an individual is more likely to exert himself, and result in injuries like burnout. Similarly, studies have also revealed that people who tend to take to running for a prolonged duration are more likely to suffer from problems associated with knee joints and other joints in the leg, as a result of excessive wear and tear that they are subjected to. That, however, doesn't mean speed walking is totally injury free. Irrespective of which form of exercise you take to, the rule of the thumb is to increase its intensity gradually, and undergo proper warm up before starting the activity.

At the end of the day, you realize that both have their own pros and cons. While running can result in some adverse effects on various joints of the body, speed walking is a low intensity workout which will take some time to show results. That being said, it will depend on the individual's preference as to which one would suit his health and lifestyle. One has to therefore, take the benefits and the risks of both these activities into consideration before coming up with a conclusion.