When it comes to burning calories, walking and running aren’t created equal. Sure, both get you from point A to point B, but their energetic costs differ. Let’s explore how they measure up.
Calories burned during any activity relate to something called “metabolic cost.” This term describes the energy our bodies use to perform tasks. To figure this out, scientists study gas exchanges — the oxygen we take in and the carbon dioxide we release. Using this method, researchers in the 1970s already had answers to our question about walking and running.
Energy Lost While Running
So why does running burn more energy than walking the same distance? Well, it’s all about the bounce. When you run, your body, particularly your pelvis and head, bounces more vertically compared to when you walk. This vertical movement means your leg muscles need to use additional force. Hence, more energy is spent moving up and down instead of just forward. In essence, those 3 kilometers will cost more calories when running.
The difference doesn’t stop when you finish your journey. After running, your body continues to burn more calories due to increased body temperature and energy reserves replenishment. This post-exercise burn is more significant when you run, suggesting that this consumes about twice as much energy as when you walk after you’re done.
Speed Matters in walking and running
Now, the energy efficiency of walking versus running also depends on your speed. If you walk at a leisurely pace around 5 km/h, your caloric expenditure remains relatively low. But if you stroll too slowly or power-walk excessively, the equation changes. Walking too slowly drags out the time, raising your energy cost. On the flip side, if you’re power-walking faster than 8 km/h, it becomes more efficient energy-wise to switch to running. Your muscles work harder at high walk speeds, and you miss out on the elastic energy benefits provided by your tendons when you run.
Additionally, our bodies instinctively know the most energy-efficient way to move. On a treadmill, the speed at which we naturally transition aligns with the point where walking becomes more energy-consuming than running.
**Marcher ou courir : pour une même distance, qu’est-ce qui consomme le plus d’énergie ?**
This article first appeared on science-et-vie.com – Author: Clément Lemineur
