Jogging VS. Walking
Walking, or ambulation, is the human form of locomotion on land and is distinguished from running in that only one foot at a time leaves contact with the ground. Walking is done using a strategy called double pendulum. In the forward motion, the leg leaves the ground with a swinging forward motion from the hip, called the first pendulum. The leg then strikes the ground with the heel and rolls through to the toe in a motion called the inverted pendulum. The two legs are involved in a coordinated motion so that one foot or the other is always in contact with the ground.
Walking is different from the jogging or running gait in the sense that one leg is always in contact with the ground while the other is swinging while in jogging or running, there is a ballistic phase characterized by the jogger or runner is airborne with both feet up in the air.
Walking is a hobby to so many people who find enjoyment in it as one of the best forms of exercise. Walking, as a fitness exercise, may include bushwalking, racewalking, weight-walking, hillwalking, volksmarching, Nordicwalking and hiking on mountain paths. Walking can also be done indoor with the use of a treadmill.
Walking in nature, such as trail hiking, allows a person to exercise while enjoying his environment as well. This is a welcome break from city walking where the walker still inhales the fumes of automobile exhausts and other pollutants the city environment brings.
People are encouraged to walk for the following benefits:
- Health - Walking burns calories and if done regularly can help also strengthen the cardiovascular system.
- Transport - Walking is the best mode of transportation especially if the distance to be covered is within a manageable limit. Walking to the corner grocery store can save gas, save the earth from more pollutants, while at the same time giving the body its much needed exercise.
- Helps the environment - By limiting the use of automobiles, we are helping the environment by reducing the emission of harmful gasses to the atmosphere.
- Sport and recreation - Walking can be fun because we exercise the body as we enjoy the scenery around us. There's nothing to beat walking by the seashore during sunset or walking on the edge of the forest during sunrise.
People who walk for a long time will realize the new-found strength in their legs and they will realize that they can go higher in their exercise. This is the situation that is ripe for jogging. As the person who had walked for several months will discover that he is no longer satisfied with the pace of his daily walk, he can start going to the next stage which is jogging.
Jogging is normally started by walking then proceeds to an alternate walking and jogging. If a person's body is already conditioned to several hours of walking, it will be very easy for him to transition to jogging.
But since jogging is high-exercise compared to walking, a person must really decide if he is up to the challenge of the new activity.