Is Walking Just As Good As Running?
The key seems to be how much energy is expended. If you walk for a good distance and burn up the same calories as a jogger who jogs 1-2 miles, then YES, walking can give you the same health benefits. What are those health benefits? Lowering your risk of heart disease, less risk of hypertension, less risk of diabetes. As article in the December 2013 issue of Tufts’ Health and Nutrition Letter, outlined the many health benefits of walking. Dr. Nelson, a professor at Tufts is quoted, “A 150 pound woman will burn 80 to 100 calories for each mile she walks.” The researchers looked at data from 15,945 participants in the National Walkers’ Health Study and 33,060 participants in the National Runners’ Health Study. What did the study find? Yes, runners did reap great health benefits with lower risks of hypertension, less unhealthy cholesterol, and less incidence of diabetes. But the walkers also reduced their risk of...