According to Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad (India), there is no absolute answer to whether walking 2 km is better than running 1 km/d. Each activity has its own advantages and limitations, depending on each person's physical condition, age and health goals.
Running saves more time, because running a distance of 1 km only takes about 6-8 minutes, while walking a distance of 2 km can take up to 20-25 minutes, Dr. Kumar shared.
In addition, jogging also burns more calories than walking if considering the same distance or time. This is also an activity that helps improve cardiovascular health better, as shown through the VO2 max index, which is a measure of the body's maximum oxygen intake, which will often improve significantly in runners.
However, running is not a suitable choice for everyone. According to Dr. Kumar, this activity puts more pressure on joints, tendons and ligaments, thereby posing a higher risk of injury than walking.
In particular, people with underlying diseases such as arthritis, obesity or severe heart disease should choose to walk to ensure safety.
Old people or those who are new to exercise often find walking more accessible than running, adds Dr. Kumar.
Whether walking or jogging, it is important to choose the form of exercise that suits your interests and abilities.
Dr. Kumar emphasized: In today's world, more than half of the population do not achieve the recommended physical activity target of 150 minutes of vigorous activity like running, or 300 minutes of light activity like walking per week. So its not about whether you walk or run, its about whether youre getting regular physical activity.
In short, both walking and running have practical health benefits. Maintaining exercise habits regardless of the form will still be the key to improving the quality of life and effectively preventing diseases.
