Should I walk or run?... Which exercise suits my body better?

Usually, I do walking exercises, but running is also involved.

I think there are also people who fit well.

It would be good to find out which exercise suits you best between walking and running before you go.

Walking > Safe with little burden on the heart and low risk of injury

Walking is a safe activity with the advantage of minimal risk. It does not place excessive strain on the heart and has almost no risk of injuries to the knees, ankles, or other joints that are common in running or other sports. For this reason, it is considered an effective exercise not only for healthy individuals but also for patients with chronic illnesses or those undergoing rehabilitation. Additionally, many studies have shown that consistent long-term walking offers significant health benefits.

Walking > Suitable for beginners and the elderly

For beginners or the elderly, walking exercise is preferable. Walking prevents cholesterol from accumulating in the body, treats stress and depression, speeds up brain activity, and promotes smooth blood circulation. Walking helps improve health for pregnant women, obese individuals, diabetics, and osteoporosis patients. For healthy people, it is good to walk at a speed of 6 to 7 km/h for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

[Photo=Clipart Korea]

Running burns twice as many calories as walking

Walking and running have different exercise effects. When exercising for the same amount of time, running lightly is about 1.5 to 2 times more effective than walking. For an adult weighing 80kg, walking for 30 minutes typically burns 160 calories, while running burns about 320 calories. Even running at a relatively slow pace has excellent fat-burning effects, making it effective for preventing obesity. Running at a faster speed increases lung capacity and stimulates cardiovascular function, which is much better than walking. Naturally, muscle mass increases and bone density also rises.

Running > Be cautious of joints and heart, adjust intensity accordingly

Running has a higher intensity compared to walking, burning nearly twice as many calories per unit time, but it can also cause fatigue more easily. To see proper benefits from running, it is important to adjust the exercise intensity appropriately. Since both feet are off the ground during running, it can put strain on the joints when landing. If you experience joint pain, be cautious as the pain may worsen.

People with weak hearts should avoid running. Especially middle-aged and older adults, who may feel strain on their cardiovascular system, should first consult a specialist to check their health status before starting a running exercise.