Exercise advice circulating online often suggests that a fast jog can burn more calories than running, leading to confusion among those trying to choose the most effective workout.
With fitness recommendations frequently emphasising pace, duration and intensity, it can be difficult to determine whether jogging or running is more efficient for burning calories.
Is it true that jogging burns calories more efficiently?
VERDICT:
False
In general, running burns more calories than jogging as it requires more energy.
Running involves higher speed, stronger muscle engagement and a higher heart rate, which increases the body’s overall calorie burn.
The confusion over this topic stems from pace and duration: if someone jogs quickly for a longer period while another person runs slowly for a short time, the jogger may end up burning more total calories.
However, this difference is due to time and intensity, not the activity itself.
From a physiological standpoint, activities classified as jogging and running mainly differ by speed. Running typically starts at about 8km/h or faster, which raises energy expenditure compared to jogging.
Another important factor is distance. When covering the same distance, the calories burned between jogging and running are often quite similar, although running will complete the distance faster.
So while jogging can still burn a significant number of calories, running generally burns more calories per minute due to its higher intensity.
References:
1. https://www.thebestraces.com/do-you-burn-more-calories-if-you-run-faster
2. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/running-and-jogging-health-benefits
3. https://www.roadrunnersports.com/blog/what-burns-more-calories-than-running
