Running Burns the Most Calories and Sees the Highest Sport Participation Rates

Running Burns the Most Calories

When it comes to which sport burns the most calories, running tops the list. Whether you are jogging at an easy pace or sprinting, running requires a lot of energy expenditure and leads to increased calorie burn compared to most other sports.

How Many Calories Does Running Burn?

On average, a 155 pound person can burn around 400-600 calories per hour while running at a moderate pace of 6 miles per hour. Sprinting and trail running generally burns even more calories.

This calorie expenditure is higher than most other sports. For example, high-impact aerobics may burn 365-465 calories per hour, swimming laps burns 400-700 calories per hour, and yoga burns just 180-365 calories per hour on average.

Reasons Running Burns a Lot of Calories

Running has a high calorie burn for several key reasons:

• It uses large muscle groups - Running engage the major muscles of the legs, glutes, core, and arms.
• It elevates heart rate - Your heart has to work harder when running, even at lower intensities.
• It incorporates resistance from body weight - Pushing off the ground during each stride provides built-in resistance.
• It can be performed for long durations - Steady runs can last over an hour, prolonging the energy expenditure.

Running Is One of the Most Popular Sports

Not only does running burn the most calories per hour on average, but it is also one of the most commonly participated sports among adults.

Running Participation Numbers

According to statistics from Running USA:

• Over 60 million people identify as runners or joggers in the United States
• Running participation has increased steadily, with over 10 million new regular runners in the last decade.
• In recent years, an estimated 15-20 million people run in organized road racing events annually.

These numbers are considerably higher than most team sports like basketball, baseball, hockey, and others. Running tends to have lower barriers to entry compared to other sports that require specific skills or expensive equipment.

Reasons for Running Popularity

A few key factors contribute to running being a top participatory physical activity:

• Solo sport - Running can be done alone on your own time.
• Low cost - Aside from shoes, no gear is necessary.
• Convenience - Running can be performed anywhere without facilities.
• Health benefits - It improves cardiovascular fitness and provides other health benefits.
• Social opportunities - Group runs, classes, races, and clubs are motivational.

Running Events See High Participation Rates

In addition to its everyday popularity, running has some of the world's highest participation rates when it comes to participation in official racing events.

Marathon Participation Trends

As one example, marathon running has seen an explosion in participation over the last 20 years. According to Running USA and other industry analysis:

• U.S. marathon finishes have quadrupled from roughly 300,000 in 1990 to over 1.2 million in recent years.
• Worldwide, there are over 5,000 marathon events with well over 2 million finishes per year.
• From hardcore racers to weekend warriors, the marathon distance attracts runners of all ages and ability levels.

Shorter Distance Event Participation

While the marathon garners a lot of attention, an even greater number of runners participate in shorter road races across the country and world:

• Half marathons in North America grew from less than 500 in 1990 to over 2,300 events in 2023 with over 2.5 million finishes.
• There are tens of thousands events per year in the 1 mile to 10K range with millions of total participants.

Between high school cross country meets and everything up to ultra marathon distances, road running events collectively account for some of the very highest levels of participation across all sports at the recreational level.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.