Both jogging and sprinting provide you with a wide range of health benefits. Each cardiovascular activity can help you lose weight, improve heart health and elevate your mood. Decide on your overall fitness goals to determine whether jogging or sprinting is a better option for you.
Jogging
Jogging is a low-intensity, long duration aerobic activity. This is a steady-state exercise, meaning the rate of intensity stays the same throughout the exercise. Joggers place less stress on their bodies and can exercise for longer periods of time compared to sprinters. MayoClinic.com notes a 200-lbs. person jogging at 5 mph can burn up to 728 calories over one hour, making jogging a calorie-burning exercise which can help shed fat.
Sprinting
Sprinting involves running as fast a rate as possible for a short distance. Most sprinters usually train by running for 100- to 200-meter stretches. These athletes have chiseled, highly muscular physiques similar a bodybuilder's. Sprinting is an anaerobic activity involving short, intense bursts of exercise followed by rest periods. The website Bodybuilding.com notes most anaerobic workouts last from 20 to 40 minutes, consisting of alternating periods of work and rest.
Goals
Sprinting would help an individual who wants to improve power and strength as the explosive bursts of exercise help to develop your musculature. The exercise also helps boost your metabolism as much as moderate intensity activities like jogging, making it an effective weight-loss exercise. Jogging improves your cardiovascular health and lung capacity but eats away at lean muscle tissue.
Exercising for longer periods of time burns carbohydrate stores and causes your body to use muscle for energy, creating a catabolic state which breaks down muscle. If you want to maintain or increase lean muscle mass, jog only once or twice per week to improve heart health and spare muscle.
Tips
Consider following a resistance training regimen, including free weights, to augment your cardiovascular training campaign. Focus on compound movements like squats, dead lifts and bench presses to increase lean muscle mass and boost your metabolism. Before starting a physical fitness program consult a physician.
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