What they have in common

There is no clear cut difference between running and jogging, which is why people tend to use the terms interchangeably. Some experts claim that there is actually a difference between the two activities, and it is the intensity of the running. Jogging is more relaxed running at one’s own pace, while running is intensive and is the fastest way a human can reach from point A to point B by foot.

A conditioning coach has defined jogging as “running at a speed less than 6 miles per hour.” Other trainers have defined jogging as something one will do for fun, while running is what one will do if part of a race.

running-vs-jogging

Differences

Jogging involves more bouncy movements, and running involves longer steps, faster arm swings and a steady rhythm. The proper strike of the foot when running is crucial as it may lead to injuries if it isn’t. The proper strike is the ball of the foot hits the ground first, rather than the heel. Though the same is right for jogging, it is not as dangerous if the strike isn’t right all the time.

As for the effect on the body, jogging is not as hard on the knees as running is.

The calories burnt from running are more than from jogging. Naturally, the running speed affects calorie burning, and so does the body weight. For example, a person who weighs 155lb will burn 563 calories from running at 5 miles per hour, 880 calories for running at 7.5 miles per hour and more than 1,000 for running at 9 miles or more per hour. Jogging for an hour will burn 492 calories.

Another advantage of running is the post-exercise after-burn it creates. The more you push the body out of its comfort zone, the more its oxygen reserves are depleted, which causes it to work hard even after you stop the intensive running or exercising, and this leads to burning even more calories post running. This after burn can continue to up to 48 hours after intensive running.

As for the effect on muscles, running activates the muscles in a different way than jogging, because when a person is running the feet spend less time on the ground. A study found that the faster one moves, the more muscles in the body are activated – this can be seen in the bodies of long-distance runners which are thinner and seem less muscular as compared to the sprinters.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that whether you are running or jogging, you always have to warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before that. This warm up can be walking, light jogging or other. This is important so that the muscles get warmed up and that the blood circulation and pulse can slowly increase.

The cool down process after jogging and running is also very important. Once you are done, take 5 to 10 minutes to cool down the muscles and slow down the heart rate and circulation of the blood. Cool down by light jogging or walking.