Why jogging leaves you less tired than a fast walkGetty

If you've been puffing your way around your local park as part of a new year fitness regime you may be surprised to hear about the findings of a group of scientists in America.

Researchers from North Carolina State University said going for a slow jog is less tiring than attempting a fast walk.

The team said a muscle in the calf is used in a more efficient way when we run, allowing energy to be released which stops us becoming tired as quickly.

The researchers carried out ultrasound scans to find out how muscles reacted when volunteers were running and walking.

Study author Dr Gregory Sawicki said: "Muscles work too inefficiently to speed walk, so the body turns to running in order to increase efficiency and comfort, and to conserve energy."

He added: "Other than Olympic race walkers, people generally find it more comfortable to run than walk when they start moving at around two metres per second - about 4.5 miles per hour."

"The muscle can't catch up to the speed of the gait as you walk faster and faster...but when you shift the gait and transition from a walk to a run, that same muscle becomes almost static and doesn't seem to change its behavior very much as you run faster and faster."

Is slow running less tiring than fast walking or have the researchers got it wrong? Let us know below...

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10-minute workouts

  • Cycling
    <p> Why not try swapping your morning commute for a bike ride? You can burn 60 calories in just 10 minutes, and if it takes you longer to get to work, so much the better. It's great for your heart, can help you lose weight and tone up, and it won't put too much pressure on bones and joints.</p>
    Cycling
  • Arm toning exercises
    <p> Grab a pair of weights and start doing arm exercises to tone your triceps and biceps. Start with lateral raises (lifting your arms from front to sides, with knees bent) and bicep curls (try doing three sets of 10 each). Tone your triceps with tricep dips - no need for dumbbells, just position yourself against a step and raise your body up and down.&nbsp;</p>
    Arm toning exercises
  • Jogging
    <p> It's important to integrate aerobic exercise into your routine, even if only for 10 minute stretches. Jogging gets your heart rate up, helps burn fat and will work all of your muscles. Or combine with other exercises like jumping jacks, skipping rope and jumping lunges for an intense burst of cardio training.&nbsp;</p>
    Jogging
  • Crunch time
    <p> To tone your belly, crunches are always a good bet when you have an extra 10 minutes (just be careful not to strain your neck). Other exercises to include in your regimen? Hold a plank position for 30 seconds to a minute, get on your knees and work your abs with opposite arm and leg raises, try reverse crunches on your back (just lift your bum off the ground with your legs in the air) and finally, grab a chair for the abdominal hold: just raise your toes off the ground while lifting your bum up.&nbsp;</p>
    Crunch time
  • Skipping
    <p> The NHS recommends getting your heart rate up (and reliving one of your favourite childhood pastimes) with skipping. It's enjoyable, helps with flexibility and can burn up to 110 calories in just 10 minutes.</p>
    Skipping
  • For your bum
    <p> </p> <p> Tone your bum in your spare minutes with exercises like squats, step ups (step onto a raised platform with one leg while bringing the other leg up and holding), pelvic lifts and the dancer's pli&eacute; (go from bended knees to tip toes to work calves as well).&nbsp;</p>
    For your bum
  • Leg tone-ups
    <p> Got 10 minutes to spare? Try heel raises to strengthen your calves (hold a set of weights to make it harder), single or double leg lifts (lie on your side and lift and hold one or both legs in the air) and walking lunges to strengthen those quadriceps.&nbsp;</p>
    Leg tone-ups